adding to the pressure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adding to the pressure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations that increase stress or difficulty in a particular context. Example: "The unexpected deadline is adding to the pressure of completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Cruise ships are adding to the pressure.

The Guardian

New foreign investors are adding to the pressure.

The Economist

The Internal Revenue Service is adding to the pressure that nonprofit groups are feeling.

The New York Times

But prospects look dismal, adding to the pressure on many rural areas.

The New York Times

And taking daily readings was adding to the pressure she already felt.

The Guardian - Tech

Whatever her true age, the speculation is adding to the pressure on a youthful competitor.

The Guardian - Sport

(The military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy was still in effect, adding to the pressure).

The New Yorker

Avery Johnson said the same, adding to the pressure on his own shoulders.

The New York Times - Sports

Another important tribal leader threw his support to the antigovernment movement on Thursday, adding to the pressure on Mr. Saleh.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the cost of British operations, put by the defence secretary, Liam Fox, at about £300m, was adding to the pressure on Cameron.

The Guardian - Opinion

If so, bosses will be pitted against unions and governments across the region, adding to the pressure in Europe as the eurozone crisis continues.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adding to the pressure" when you want to clearly communicate that something is increasing the existing stress or difficulty in a situation. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "adding to the pressure" when the situation involves creating pressure from scratch. This phrase specifically denotes the intensification of existing stress, not its initial creation.

Linguistic Context

Adding to the pressure functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to indicate that something is intensifying an existing state of stress or difficulty. Ludwig examples show its application across diverse contexts, like economic strain or personal challenges, confirming its role in depicting the augmentation of pressure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "adding to the pressure" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes the intensification of existing stress or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and applicable across a range of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While seemingly straightforward, nuanced use requires distinguishing between amplifying existing pressure and creating new pressure. Alternatives such as "increasing the burden" or "heightening the tension" can provide a better semantic fit depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing the burden

Focuses on the aspect of increasing a load or responsibility.

intensifying the stress

Highlights the amplification of mental or emotional strain.

heightening the tension

Emphasizes the rise in strain or anxiety in a situation.

exacerbating the difficulty

Implies making an already challenging situation even worse.

aggravating the situation

Suggests worsening a condition or state of affairs.

piling on the strain

Conveys the image of accumulating pressure or stress.

contributing to the load

Emphasizes the act of adding to an existing weight or responsibility.

fuelling the intensity

Implies adding energy or force to an already intense situation.

building up the heat

Uses a metaphor of increasing temperature to represent rising pressure.

mounting the squeeze

Focuses on the aspect of tightening or constricting resources or options.

FAQs

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

You can use "adding to the pressure" to describe situations where something is increasing the stress or difficulty already present. For example, "The unexpected deadline is "adding to the pressure" of completing the project on time."

What phrases are similar to "adding to the pressure"?

Alternatives to "adding to the pressure" include "increasing the burden", "intensifying the stress", or "heightening the tension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "adds to the pressure" instead of "adding to the pressure"?

Yes, "adds to the pressure" is grammatically correct. It is simply a different tense. "Adding to the pressure" is a continuous or progressive form, while "adds to the pressure" is simple present.

What is the difference between "adding to the pressure" and "creating pressure"?

"Adding to the pressure" implies that there is already existing stress or difficulty, and something is increasing it. "Creating pressure", on the other hand, means initiating the stress or difficulty.