Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
add value to someone
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"add value to someone" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about ways in which someone can be helped or improved. For example, "It is important to focus on activities that add value to someone's life."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
As someone who appreciates connecting people, I aim to add value to someone else's life or career far more than my own.
News & Media
To learn any skill increases your self-confidence, and ability to add value to someone else's life.
News & Media
I think there's a huge opportunity there to add value to someone's day by making it easier.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
Jack taught me that you could make money by adding value to someone else's business equation and that the integrity of your product was among the most important factors in achieving success.
News & Media
Networking means opening yourself up to new opportunities, but it also means adding value to someone else as well.
News & Media
What do you like to do? C ontribute by adding value to someone else's day or life.
Wiki
That's a lot of money to throw away on someone who won't add value to your business--or worse, someone who will actually hurt things like employee morale and productivity.
News & Media
They will only hire you if they think you are someone worth investing in, someone who will add value to their organisation.
News & Media
Do your research Seek out someone who can really add value to your business, rather than the most impressive name.
News & Media
Consider launching your first campaign in collaboration with someone who believes that you add value to his particular service offering.
Wiki
"But they add value to a party".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use the phrase to emphasize the positive impact of an action or contribution, rather than focusing solely on personal gain or recognition.
Common error
Don't mistakenly believe that simply doing more things will automatically "add value to someone". Prioritize quality and relevance to ensure your efforts are genuinely helpful and appreciated.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "add value to someone" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of contributing something beneficial or useful to another person. It is used to express how one can positively impact another's life or situation, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Wiki
25%
Formal & Business
15%
Less common in
Science
5%
Encyclopedias
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "add value to someone" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes the act of positively impacting another person's life. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used across various contexts including news, business, and general writing. While the phrase is generally considered neutral in tone, it’s important to focus on quality over quantity to ensure the efforts are genuinely helpful and appreciated. Alternatives include "enhance someone's life" or "make a positive impact on someone". In conclusion, the proper use of "add value to someone" can effectively convey the importance of being beneficial to others.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
enhance someone's life
Focuses on improving the overall quality of life for someone.
enrich someone's experience
Emphasizes making someone's experiences more meaningful or fulfilling.
contribute to someone's well-being
Highlights the positive impact on someone's health and happiness.
make a positive impact on someone
General term for having a beneficial influence on someone.
improve someone's situation
Focuses on making someone's circumstances better.
be a benefit to someone
Highlights being helpful or advantageous to someone.
lend a helping hand to someone
Focuses on providing assistance or support to someone in need.
make a difference in someone's life
Emphasizes having a significant positive impact on someone.
uplift someone
Focuses on raising someone's spirits or mood.
serve someone well
Highlights providing valuable service or assistance to someone.
FAQs
How can I use "add value to someone" in a sentence?
You can use "add value to someone" to describe actions or contributions that positively impact another person's life or situation. For example, "Mentoring can "add value to someone"'s career by providing guidance and support."
What's a good alternative to "add value to someone"?
Alternatives include phrases like "enhance someone's life", "make a positive impact on someone", or "contribute to someone's well-being", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it correct to say "add value for someone" instead of "add value to someone"?
While "add value for someone" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""add value to someone"" is the more common and idiomatic phrasing. The preposition "to" emphasizes the recipient of the value being added.
How can I ensure I'm genuinely adding value to someone, and not just appearing to?
Focus on understanding their needs and perspectives, and tailor your actions or contributions to directly address those needs. Seek feedback and be open to adjusting your approach to ensure you're truly making a positive difference.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested