adding to the mess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adding to the mess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone or something is making an already complicated or problematic scenario worse. Example: "His careless comments were just adding to the mess of the ongoing debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I walked down the stairs to join my four brothers and two sisters for breakfast, tears and fear adding to the mess that was my face.

Huffington Post

Adding to the mess, there are apparently two SEC departments responsible for disgorgements and penalties, and communication between them is not as effective as it should be.

The Economist

Adding to the mess, the company's New Orleans and St. Charles, La., plants were still recovering from Katrina.

Forbes

Adding to the mess of course is the way Republicans allowed Pat Brady's ouster to be portrayed as all about gay marriage.

Huffington Post

Adding to the mess, Mapco says they never received the payment, writes The Consumerist, leaving Crockett stuck hopelessly in the middle with only a $100 gift card that the gas station provided to help him get by.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The months leading up to the election only added to the mess.

The New Yorker

And so an extraordinarily small number of voters showed up Tuesday to add to the mess.

The New York Times

To add to the mess, a judge this week ruled that Abdallah's appointment was illegal – but Abdallah refused to stand down.

The Guardian

The bank also has a bigger cushion of capital than most of its peers.CaixaBank's scale helped it stave off the political interference that added to the mess at other cajas.

The Economist

We must not simply seek to add more sustainability to leadership or add more leadership to sustainability, but challenge assumptions about "leadership" that have added to the mess we are in.

The Guardian

The debris from the accident could not be cleared in time for the green flag to fly again, and a jubilant crowd added to the mess by showering the track with trash.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adding to the mess" to clearly indicate that an action or event is worsening an already problematic or chaotic situation. This phrase is effective in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "adding to the mess" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "exacerbating the problem" or "compounding the issue" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adding to the mess" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause. It indicates that an action or event is contributing to or intensifying an already existing state of disorder or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Huffington Post

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adding to the mess" is a grammatically correct and versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the act of worsening an already problematic situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, demonstrating its use across various reputable sources, particularly in news and media. While alternatives such as "exacerbating the problem" or "compounding the issue" exist, "adding to the mess" provides a clear and direct way to convey that a situation is deteriorating further. While not overly formal, it maintains a level of neutrality suitable for diverse writing and speaking contexts. Using this phrase sparingly and considering its synonyms can enhance clarity and engagement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making matters worse

A more general and straightforward way of expressing the same idea.

exacerbating the problem

Focuses on making the problem worse.

compounding the issue

Highlights the act of adding complexity to the issue.

complicating things further

Focuses on the added complexity.

worsening the situation

Directly states that the situation is becoming worse.

aggravating the circumstances

Emphasizes the negative impact on the circumstances.

inflaming the crisis

Suggests a more intense and urgent worsening.

fuelling the chaos

Implies that the chaos is being actively encouraged or increased.

pouring oil on the fire

An idiom suggesting actions that worsen an already heated situation.

deepening the quagmire

Suggests sinking further into a difficult situation.

FAQs

What does "adding to the mess" mean?

The phrase "adding to the mess" means to make an already complicated or problematic situation even worse. It suggests that an action or event is contributing negatively to an existing state of disorder or difficulty.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "adding to the mess"?

It's appropriate to use "adding to the mess" when you want to emphasize that something is worsening an existing problem. It can be used in various contexts, from describing personal situations to analyzing broader social or political issues.

What are some alternatives to "adding to the mess"?

Alternatives to "adding to the mess" include "exacerbating the problem", "compounding the issue", "worsening the situation", or "making matters worse". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "adding to the mess" formal or informal?

"Adding to the mess" is generally considered neutral in terms of formality. While not highly formal, it's also not overly casual, making it suitable for a wide range of writing and speaking situations.