adding to the mountain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adding to the mountain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing increasing a burden, challenge, or amount of something, often metaphorically. Example: "Every time we encounter a new problem, it feels like we are just adding to the mountain of issues we need to resolve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

With no tax increases in the offing and the government running a $1.5-trillion 1.5-trillion deficitnik moment" meanewadding to the mountain of debt.

The New Yorker

This is it, do you really want this?" If nothing else, you could never accuse him of adding to the mountain of hype surrounding the band's re-formation.

The Guardian

They carted away boxes of documents, adding to the mountain of evidence in a tax evasion case that is only the latest sensational scandal here.

The New York Times

Like all the nations which continue to extend the fossil fuel frontier (such as Britain, where companies intend to start producing gas through fracking) Japan is adding to the mountain of fossil fuels we cannot responsibly burn.

The Guardian

"Last night, Washington thumbed its nose at the American people, taking over one-sixth of our nation's economy and adding to the mountain of debt already looming over our children's future," said former Representative Rob Simmons of Connecticut, who hopes to succeed Senator Christopher J. Dodd, a Democrat who is retiring.

The New York Times - Health

Materials that will biodegrade, creating an organic product that can be dug back into the soil, offer an attractive solution for restaurants like Calum's, that are looking for practical ways to serve takeaway food, without adding to the mountain of plastic waste that's a by-product of our modern lifestyles.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This way, you will not be adding to the mountains of waste that have been exported to other continents for unethical recycling.

WikiHow

He went on, "There's obviously worthier folks to add to the mountain".

The New Yorker

The new Nature study adds to the mountain of evidence ruling out the contrarian argument for an insensitive climate.

The Guardian

The ISC is now also responsible for reviewing the work of the military's "defence intelligence" unit, which will add to the mountain of documents available for review.

The Guardian

At this advanced date, could there possibly be anything new to add to the mountain of autobiographies, biographies, memoirs, novels and films that have accreted on this subject?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "adding to the mountain" when you want to emphasize the cumulative effect of individual contributions to a larger, often negative, situation. It's effective in highlighting the overwhelming nature of the final outcome.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "increasing the burden" or "contributing to the accumulation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adding to the mountain" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of increasing a substantial amount of something, often with negative connotations. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable. Examples show it describing increasing debt, waste, or evidence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adding to the mountain" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that effectively conveys the idea of incremental increases contributing to a larger, often problematic, accumulation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English. Its presence in reputable news sources like The Guardian and The New York Times suggests a broad acceptance in general writing. While versatile, overusing the metaphor should be avoided. Alternatives such as "increasing the burden" or "contributing to the accumulation" can provide variety and maintain the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing the burden

Directly addresses the act of making a load or responsibility heavier.

exacerbating the problem

Highlights the worsening of an existing issue.

contributing to the accumulation

Focuses on the gradual increase of something over time.

escalating the situation

Implies a rapid increase in the severity or intensity of a situation.

intensifying the challenge

Focuses on amplifying the difficulty of a task or situation.

augmenting the collection

Emphasizes the act of increasing the size or quantity of a specific group of items.

supplementing the existing amount

Indicates adding to what is already present to make it more complete.

building upon the foundation

Implies adding to an already existing base or structure.

amplifying the effect

Focuses on making an effect or consequence more pronounced.

heightening the intensity

Stresses the increase in the strength or degree of something.

FAQs

What does "adding to the mountain" mean?

The phrase "adding to the mountain" is a metaphor that means increasing the amount of something, often a problem, debt, or responsibility. It suggests a cumulative effect where each addition makes the overall burden larger and more difficult to manage.

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

You can use "adding to the mountain" to describe situations where individual actions contribute to a larger, often negative outcome. For example: "Each new regulation is "adding to the mountain" of paperwork businesses must handle."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "increasing the burden", "exacerbating the problem", or "contributing to the accumulation". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "adding to the mountain" a formal or informal expression?

"Adding to the mountain" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more appropriate for writing and speech that allows for metaphorical language. In highly formal or technical writing, consider using a more direct and literal alternative.