add to the situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "add to the situation" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a situation that is being made more difficult or complicated, usually due to the involvement of additional people or elements. For example, "The introduction of more bureaucracy only added to the situation, making it difficult to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Questions about the Sochi site add to the situation.

The New York Times - Sports

The new claims that it may have defrauded Quebec's leading publicly financed hospital only add to the situation.

The New York Times

We don't have anything else to add to the situation".

Huffington Post

Discriminatory hiring practices add to the situation, contributing to high unemployment rates.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I also sense for the first time that some believe supermarkets are adding to the situation, using inflation as an excuse to put prices up, rather than fighting on their behalf to keep them down.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He added: It's not necessary to add to the difficult situation, we need to cooperate with all our traditional partners - while providing for our own interests, of course.

The Guardian

To add to the dire situation, Harrison's blanket and shoes were stolen, and due to the cold, he began to suffer from frostbite.

Wikipedia

Arresting Michael Phelps would only add to the absurdity of the situation, and paint you as a grandstander.

Huffington Post

Having read it I wanted to add to the title "and if the situation changes I'll let you know".

The Guardian - Books

Climate change will add to the complexity of emergency situations, and will exacerbate existing conflicts or cause new conflicts to arise.

Unicef

But that is a little concerning too because you want to come into a situation and add to the recipe.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "add to the situation", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether the addition is positive or negative. The phrase typically implies a negative contribution, but can be neutral depending on the surrounding words.

Common error

Avoid using "add to the situation" when a more specific verb or phrase would provide greater clarity. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound generic and less impactful. Opt for alternatives that precisely convey the nature of the addition, such as "exacerbate", "improve", or "complicate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "add to the situation" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something is contributing to or intensifying an existing state of affairs. It is commonly used to express that an action or event has an impact on the current circumstances. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct to use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "add to the situation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies contributing to or intensifying an existing state of affairs. While it can be used in various contexts, it often carries a negative connotation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely applicable. It's important to consider the specific context to ensure the intended meaning is accurately conveyed, and avoid overuse in favor of more specific alternatives to improve clarity. The examples gathered by Ludwig demonstrate its prevalent usage across diverse sources, particularly in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbate the circumstances

Changes the verb to "exacerbate" emphasizing the worsening of circumstances.

compound the problem

Replaces "situation" with "problem" and uses "compound" to indicate an increase in severity.

contribute to the difficulty

Focuses on contributing to the existing difficulty instead of the overall situation.

worsen the case

Substitutes "add" with "worsen" focusing on negative impact and "situation" to "case".

aggravate the matter

Uses "aggravate" suggesting increased seriousness and "matter" replacing "situation".

inflate the issue

Employs "inflate" to highlight disproportionate increase and "issue" for "situation".

magnify the complexity

Highlights the increase in complexity rather than a general addition.

heighten the tension

Specifically addresses increasing tension within the situation.

augment the dilemma

Uses "augment" for addition and frames the situation as a "dilemma".

fuel the crisis

Implies the situation is a crisis and that the action is fueling it.

FAQs

How can I use "add to the situation" in a sentence?

Use "add to the situation" to describe something that makes a situation more complex, difficult, or intense. For example, "His constant complaining only "added to the situation"."

What is a synonym for "add to the situation"?

Synonyms for "add to the situation" include "worsen the case", "exacerbate the circumstances", or "compound the problem" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to say something "adds to the situation"?

While "add to the situation" often implies a negative impact, it can be neutral. The context usually indicates whether the effect is positive or negative. If you mean to highlight a positive effect consider "improve the situation" or "ameliorate the situation".

Which is the correct phrase, "add to the situation" or "adds to the situation"?

Both "add to the situation" and "adds to the situation" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Add" is used with plural subjects, while "adds" is used with singular subjects. For example: "These issues "add to the situation"" versus "This action "adds to the situation"."