aggregates

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Totals formed by adding together several amounts or scores.

   Grammar: Plural of 'aggregate'; for one total, use 'aggregate'.

   Patterns

   • aggregates of something
   • in the aggregate

   The company reported higher aggregates for sales and profit this quarter.

   Economists study aggregates like national income and total employment.

   The aggregates from different regions were combined into one report.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   Materials, such as sand and gravel, mixed with cement to make concrete.

   Grammar: Plural of 'aggregate'; often used in the singular as a mass noun in construction.

   Patterns

   • aggregates for concrete
   • mix aggregates

   The builders ordered aggregates to mix with cement.

   Different aggregates give concrete different strengths.

   The truck delivered sand and other aggregates to the site.

Word forms

Common combinations

economic aggregates

Economic aggregates show the overall health of the economy.

aggregates of data

The study used aggregates of data from many surveys.

construction aggregates

Construction aggregates include sand, gravel, and crushed stone.

in the aggregate

In the aggregate, the results were positive.

Synonyms and how they differ

totals

More general; 'aggregates' often implies combining separate parts.

sums

Usually refers to the result of addition; 'aggregates' can also refer to materials.

Opposites

Word family

aggregate verb

To collect and combine into a whole.

aggregation noun

The process of collecting or combining.

Commonly confused: aggregates or aggregate?

Practice

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