adding to their problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adding to their problems" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where additional difficulties or complications are being introduced to an already challenging scenario. Example: "The unexpected delay in delivery is adding to their problems, making it harder for them to meet the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was a brief respite, Quins adding to their problems when Marler's soft pass inside his own 22, intended for Nick Easter, was intercepted by winger Strettle, who cruised over to score.

BBC

As the candidates battle for the votes of Ohio's blue-collar workers hard hit by mass layoffs as globalization took hold in recent decades, Clinton accused Trump of adding to their problems through his business practices.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Living in Illinois may add to their problems.

The New York Times

Finland's carelessness in possession added to their problems.

The Guardian - Sport

Poor harvests in 1883 and 1884 added to their problems, along with an unsympathetic dominion government back east in Ottawa.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Air travelers sometimes add to their problems by showing up late for a flight or failing to put identification on suitcases.

The New York Times

Northampton Town have been issued with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs while, to add to their problems, they have been given a deadline of close of play on Thursday to pay back a £10.25m loan to the borough council.

The Guardian - Sport

But once American presidents begin navigating the minefield of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they quickly realise they don't need to add to their problems by shifting the US embassy from Tel Aviv - a unilateral statement on the status of Jerusalem.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Without proper mental health support, workers may unwittingly add to their problems by seeking relief in stress management strategies that actually create more stress than they resolve," says Thomas Ditzler in The Journal of Humanitarian Assistance.

The Guardian

The 13,000 American troops in the country are still so busy in the south and east pursuing Taliban forces and hunting for Al Qaeda's leaders that the last thing they want is protracted strife in the west to add to their problems, another American officer said.

The New York Times

Logging or deforestation – in which whole forests are destroyed - also adds to their problems.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like "exacerbate", "compound", or "aggravate" for greater impact and specificity, particularly in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "adding to their problems" in situations where the additional difficulty is minor or insignificant. Choose a more precise phrase to reflect the true impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adding to their problems" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of exacerbating or intensifying existing difficulties. It typically appears as part of a clause that describes a cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adding to their problems" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of exacerbating an already difficult situation. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media contexts. While it's generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be suitable for academic writing. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the pre-existing difficulties for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbating their issues

This alternative emphasizes the worsening of existing problems, highlighting the intensification of difficulties.

compounding their difficulties

This suggests that new challenges are layering upon existing ones, making the overall situation more complex.

worsening their situation

This focuses on the overall decline in circumstances as a result of additional negative factors.

aggravating their troubles

This indicates that existing troubles are being made more severe or intense by external factors.

inflaming their predicament

This suggests that the existing predicament is becoming more heated or intense due to additional influences.

heightening their challenges

This emphasizes that the challenges are becoming more pronounced or severe due to added factors.

intensifying their crisis

This conveys a sense that the crisis is escalating due to additional negative influences.

further complicating matters for them

This suggests that the situation is becoming more intricate and difficult to manage.

piling on the pressure

This informal expression highlights the addition of extra stress or burden to an already stressed situation.

making matters worse

This is a general expression indicating that new actions or events are negatively impacting the existing situation.

FAQs

How can I use "adding to their problems" in a sentence?

You can use "adding to their problems" to describe a situation where something makes an already difficult situation even harder. For example: "The unexpected cost overruns are "adding to their problems"."

What are some alternatives to "adding to their problems"?

Some alternatives include "compounding their difficulties", "exacerbating their issues", or "worsening their situation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "adding to their problems" formal or informal?

"Adding to their problems" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "aggravating their troubles" might be preferred in academic or professional settings.

What's the difference between "adding to their problems" and "solving their problems"?

"Adding to their problems" describes making things worse, while "solving their problems" means finding solutions to improve the situation. They are opposite in meaning.