adding to the line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adding to the line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of contributing or increasing something, often in a context related to a list, queue, or a sequence of items. Example: "The new policy is adding to the line of regulations that we must follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

LG also announced it was adding to the line of Ultra HD TVs, which have 4K resolution, roughly four times that of 1080p high-definition TVs available now.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I also have ideas for other products I want to add to the line.

The New York Times

We felt that the questions did little more than add to the line".

The New York Times

The cabins will be added to the line's Pride of America ship too.

The New York Times - Travel

In the spring of this year, two new items will be added to the line, including a rich oxygenating cream.

The New York Times

The trousers were creased and lean and ended just above the ankle with deep cuffs that somehow added to the line of the leg.

The New York Times

Cookies, including shortbreads, were added to the line in 2000 and new this year is a marzipan cake (at $26.50 for a 1 pound 14 ounce cake).

The New York Times

Nice to see some color choice added to the line beyond just "Boring Gray", though two of the three colors are still pretty doom-and-gloom.

TechCrunch

In the years since, Mexican American and Native American dolls have been added to the line.

Huffington Post

Two cattle wagons were added to the line's stock in the 1920s.

Wikipedia

Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff took action, and now three extra stops will be added to the line in low-income and minority communities.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adding to the line" when you want to emphasize a cumulative effect, where each addition builds upon what already exists. For instance, "New evidence is adding to the line of reasoning supporting the hypothesis".

Common error

Avoid using "adding to the line" when a more direct verb like 'supplementing' or 'augmenting' would be clearer. The phrase works best when the 'line' aspect is conceptually relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adding to the line" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that describes the action of augmenting or increasing something within a sequence or progression. This can refer to physical lines, like a queue, or conceptual lines, such as a line of reasoning.Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adding to the line" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the action of incrementing something, be it a physical sequence or a conceptual progression. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds usage across various contexts, from news and media to science and general discussions. While alternatives like "augmenting the queue" or "expanding the series" exist, "adding to the line" is particularly effective in emphasizing the cumulative effect of each addition, contributing to a larger whole. Though misuse can occur if a more direct verb would provide more clarity, understanding its contextual relevance is key to its effective application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

augmenting the queue

Focuses on increasing the number in a waiting line or sequence.

expanding the series

Emphasizes growth or extension of a set of items.

supplementing the catalog

Highlights adding extra items or elements to an existing collection.

enhancing the range

Implies an improvement or broadening of scope.

extending the inventory

Specifically refers to increasing the stock or supply.

bolstering the roster

Suggests strengthening a list or group of people.

building upon the foundation

Focuses on incrementing something that has been created.

amplifying the message

Enhancing the message that has been conveyed previously.

complementing the assortment

Highlighting the fact of accompanying the assortment with something else.

escalating the conflict

Refers to incrementing the conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "adding to the line" in a sentence?

Use "adding to the line" to describe something that increases or contributes to an existing sequence or argument. For example, "Each new study is "adding to the line" of evidence supporting this theory".

What can I say instead of "adding to the line"?

You can use alternatives like "augmenting the queue", "expanding the series", or "supplementing the catalog" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "add to the line" instead of "adding to the line"?

The phrase "add to the line" can be used, but "adding to the line" is often used to denote an ongoing process or continuous contribution, as opposed to a single instance of addition.

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

"Adding to the line" implies an increase to a sequence or accumulation, while "contributing to the effort" suggests participating in a broader activity or goal.