add weight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “add weight” can be used in written English.
It is often used in the context of adding significance or importance to something. For example, you could say, “The fact that the president has endorsed the proposal adds weight to the argument for its approval.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

2. Add weight progressively.

The New York Times

It can add weight by showing the context and pattern.

The Guardian

Would an academic reference add weight to your applications?

The Guardian - Money

A lesser kickstand would add weight, bulk or ugliness.

The New York Times

The results add weight to the significance of the bubbles and the gases within them.

The New York Times - Science

Such experience was bound to add weight to even the most lighthearted stories.

The New York Times - Books

Plus, do his guests – including Thom Yorke and Erykah Badu – add weight to proceedings?

The Guardian - Music

The findings add weight to investor cynicism about the honesty of corporate financial reporting.

The New York Times

That was an encouraging sign, Dr. Jacobson said, because children tend to add weight in adolescence.

The New York Times

An extra ski or a cockpit hatch would add weight and raise the center of gravity.

The New York Times

Hadzic's capture will add weight to Serbia's bid to become a member of the European Union.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "add weight" in the context of persuasive writing, ensure the added information or evidence directly supports your central argument. Strong relevance enhances the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "add weight" when you simply mean to include or incorporate something without necessarily increasing its importance or impact. Choose a more neutral term if the addition doesn't enhance the subject's significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "add weight" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "add" is the verb and "weight" is the noun. It is used to describe the action of increasing either physical mass or the significance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

22%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "add weight" is a versatile expression used to describe the action of increasing either physical mass or the importance of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the specific context to ensure accurate and impactful communication. Related phrases include "increase the load" and "augment the significance". When employing "add weight", ensure it directly supports your argument or intended meaning, and avoid using it when a simple inclusion is intended. The examples in Ludwig reveal that the phrase is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase in significance

Highlights a gradual rise in relevance or consequence.

bolster the importance

Emphasizes support for the relevance or importance of something; puts weight and relevance in the focus.

magnify importance

Emphasizes making something more noticeable in terms of significance.

augment the significance

Highlights increasing the importance or impact of something; emphasizing significance over physical attribute.

lend credence

Focuses on making something more believable or authoritative. It shifts the meaning towards believability.

increase the load

Focuses on the act of making something physically heavier; it shifts the emphasis to physical weight rather than figurative significance.

build up influence

Focuses on accumulating persuasive power gradually.

enhance the effect

Underscores the strengthening of influence of something.

increase in mass

It means literally raising in mass. This expression is more common in technical contexts.

make heavier

Highlights the action of increasing the physical weight, which differs from enhancing significance or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "add weight" in a sentence?

You can use "add weight" to describe making something heavier, like "add weight to the bar" during exercise. It can also mean to increase the importance of something, as in "His testimony "adds weight to the case"".

What phrases are similar to "add weight"?

Similar phrases include "increase the load" (for physical weight), "augment the significance", and "bolster the importance" (for importance).

When is it appropriate to use "add weight" figuratively?

It's appropriate to use "add weight" figuratively when you want to convey that something enhances the importance, credibility, or influence of something else. For instance, "New evidence "adds weight to the theory"".

Is there a difference between "add weight to" and "carry weight"?

"Add weight to" suggests an action that increases importance or physical mass, while "carry weight" implies already having importance or influence. For example, "His endorsement "adds weight to the campaign"", meaning it makes the campaign more influential. Someone who "carries weight" already has influence.