adding to it

USAGE SUMMARY

"adding to it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is being added to a particular thing. For example: "I'm adding to my collection of classic books by purchasing a hardcover edition of 'The Catcher in the Rye'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Are we adding to it?

The New York Times

"But I haven't been adding to it.

The New York Times

"So you're not just adding to it," he tells them.

The New York Times

"Instead of finishing off, I'm adding to it.

The New York Times - Sports

The lottery is unfair enough, without adding to it.

The New York Times - Sports

We'll keep improving and adding to it, starting right away.

Harvard Business Review

We hope we can keep adding to it".

The New York Times - Sports

Researchers and professional bodies should not be adding to it".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I hope we can keep adding to it".

The Guardian - Sport

As the show goes on we'll keep adding to it".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We need armed presence, and we are adding to it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adding to it" to clearly indicate an incremental increase or enhancement to a specific subject. Ensure the context makes clear what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "adding to it" when the referent of "it" is ambiguous or unclear. Always ensure that the noun or idea "it" represents is explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adding to it" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a prepositional complement. It describes the action of increasing or enhancing something, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adding to it" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies the act of augmenting or enhancing something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and appears frequently across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While "adding to it" is generally suitable for a wide range of communication, opting for more precise alternatives, such as "supplementing it" or "enhancing it", can lend greater clarity and formality, particularly in academic or professional settings. Remember to ensure that the referent of "it" is always unambiguous to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

augmenting it

Focuses on increasing size or amount, often implying a beneficial addition.

supplementing it

Implies providing something additional to enhance or complete it.

enhancing it

Highlights improving the quality or desirability of something.

building upon it

Suggests using something as a foundation to create something larger or more complex.

expanding it

Focuses on making something larger in scope or size.

developing it further

Implies taking something to a more advanced stage.

contributing to it

Highlights providing something that helps to achieve a larger result.

increasing it

Simply making something larger in quantity or degree.

boosting it

Emphasizes making something more successful or effective.

furthering it

Highlights promoting the progress of something.

FAQs

How can I use "adding to it" in a sentence?

You can use "adding to it" to describe the act of increasing or enhancing something. For example, "The chef was "augmenting the flavor" by adding more herbs."

What's a more formal alternative to "adding to it"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "supplementing it" or "enhancing it" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "adding to it" suitable for academic writing?

While "adding to it" is grammatically correct, academic writing often benefits from more precise language. Consider using phrases like "building upon it" or "expanding upon it" for greater clarity.

What's the difference between "adding to it" and "contributing to it"?

"Adding to it" generally refers to increasing the quantity or quality of something, while "contributing to it" implies providing something that helps achieve a larger result or goal.