adding to the woes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'adding to the woes' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is making a difficult or unpleasant situation even worse. For example: "The already sluggish economy has been further weakened by the ongoing pandemic, adding to the woes of many businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The heatwave is adding to the woes of millions of people who are suffering from drought.

The Guardian

Another factor adding to the woes of Japanese power companies has been rising concerns about the safety of nuclear energy.

The New York Times

Higher energy costs are hurting businesses and consumers alike and are adding to the woes of an economy ailing from a housing slump and a credit crisis.

The New York Times

Car thieved are adding to the woes of cash-strapped motorists by stealing catalytic converters as well as siphoning off fuel from their tanks.

The Guardian - Money

DaimlerChrysler, the world's fifth-largest carmaker, said the dollar's decline against the euro would reduce the earnings of the Mercedes-Benz division, adding to the woes of the luxury-car unit.

The New York Times

Firefighting resources have already been stretched thin in California, where drought and disease are adding to the woes of the forests, and Canada, where the city of Fort McMurray, Alberta, was burned down in May.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Shortages of power and fertiliser will add to the woes.

The Economist

The loss adds to the woes of 360networks, which missed a $10.9 million bond interest payment last week.

The New York Times

The results will add to the woes of the Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, but were personally disappointing for Brian Paddick.

The Guardian

Microsoft, a component of the Dow Jones industrial average, added to the woes of the blue-chip index.

The New York Times

Partitioning the Teamster plans would thus add to the woes of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the agency that provides pension insurance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adding to the woes" to emphasize the cumulative effect of negative factors, highlighting that a situation is deteriorating due to multiple contributing issues.

Common error

Avoid using "adding to the woes" in situations where the problem is minor or easily resolved. This phrase is most effective when describing significant or complex difficulties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adding to the woes" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe an action that exacerbates an existing negative situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its role in illustrating the cumulative impact of adverse factors. Examples from Ludwig show it is most commonly used to describe deteriorating conditions in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adding to the woes" is a common and grammatically correct verbal phrase used to describe something that worsens an already difficult situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across a range of contexts. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that it is most frequently found in news and media sources, but also appears in formal business contexts. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "exacerbating the problems" or "compounding the difficulties" for variety. Avoid using it in situations where the problems are minor, as it is most effective when describing significant or complex difficulties. By using it correctly, you can effectively emphasize the cumulative impact of negative factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbating the problems

This phrase implies a worsening of existing problems, making them more severe.

compounding the difficulties

This suggests that the difficulties are accumulating and becoming more complex.

worsening the situation

This is a more general phrase indicating a decline in the state of affairs.

aggravating the issues

This implies that the issues are becoming more intense or troublesome.

inflaming the troubles

This suggests that the troubles are becoming more heated or agitated.

intensifying the hardship

This indicates a strengthening or deepening of the hardship.

magnifying the adversity

This implies that the adversity is being made to seem larger or more significant.

augmenting the suffering

This suggests that the suffering is being increased or amplified.

heightening the distress

This indicates an increase in the level of distress or anxiety.

fuelling the crisis

This implies that the crisis is being given more energy or impetus.

FAQs

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

You can use "adding to the woes" to describe how a new problem makes an already difficult situation even worse. For instance, "The economic recession is "adding to the woes" of small business owners."

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

Alternatives include "exacerbating the problems", "compounding the difficulties", or "worsening the situation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different uses. "Adds to the woes" is used when referring to a specific, ongoing action in the present, while "adding to the woes" is used more generally or when describing a continuous process.

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

"Adding to the woes" implies that there are already significant problems, and something is making them worse. "Contributing to the problems" is more neutral and simply means something is helping to cause the problems, without necessarily implying they are already severe.