Meaning & use
totaling vs totalling
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
The two spellings of the -ing form of the verb total: American English uses totaling, British English uses totalling.
Grammar: Use this phrase when choosing between the two spellings; the meaning is the same.
In American English, you write totaling, as in 'The costs are totaling more than we expected.'
In British English, you write totalling, as in 'The costs are totalling more than we expected.'
The difference between totaling and totalling is only a matter of spelling convention.
verbtransitive or intransitive
Adding up numbers or amounts to find a total (spelled totaling in US English, totalling in UK English).
Grammar: Can take an object (total the bill) or be used without one (the numbers total to 100).
Patterns
- total something
- total to something
She is totaling the receipts to see how much we spent.
The expenses are totalling around $500 so far.
He totaled the scores and announced the winner.
verblinking
Reaching a particular total amount (spelled totaling in US English, totalling in UK English).
Grammar: Often followed by a number or amount: totaling $1 million.
Patterns
- total something
- total to something
Donations are totaling $10,000 this month.
The damage is totaling millions of dollars.
Their sales are totaling more than last year's.
Word forms
| third person singular | totals |
|---|---|
| past tense (US) | totaled |
| past participle (US) | totaled |
| past tense (UK) | totalled |
| past participle (UK) | totalled |
| -ing form (US) | totaling |
| -ing form (UK) | totalling |
Common combinations
- total the cost
- Please total the cost of all the items.
- total up to
- The bill totals up to $200.
- total an amount
- The company totaled an amount of $1 million in sales.
- total number
- The total number of students is 30.
Synonyms and how they differ
- add up
- More informal and often used with 'to': 'The numbers add up to 100.'
- sum
- More formal or technical, often used in mathematics: 'sum the values'.
Opposites
Word family
Practice
In British English, which spelling is correct for the -ing form of 'total'?
Choose one answer.
British English doubles the final 'l' before -ing, so 'totalling' is correct. American English uses 'totaling' with one 'l'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “totaling vs totalling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.