adding to this problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adding to this problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about a situation in which some action or event is making an existing problem worse. For example, "The increased pollution from cars adding to this problem means that more needs to be done to address air quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Hocking Howe cited the terrible rate of suicide and depression among LGBTI youth: "It is not sexuality that is adding to this problem.

The Guardian

SO: Are there too many social media networks which could potentially be adding to this problem?

Forbes

I'm sure the government is probably adding to this problem by supporting all these companies.

Huffington Post

The anterior is produced by the setting in progress of numerous projects of great size, especially in the area of the mechanical remake of wood, adding to this problem the effect of the boost of internal productive costs next to a strong lowering off the currency exchange rate5.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Adding to this problem, the standards typically used as pillars for enterprise and network management and (inter)operation are themselves subject to continuous change and often have their own interoperability, inconsistency and overlap problems.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Adding to this problem, the standards typically used as pillars for enterprise and network management and (inter)operation are themselves subject to continuous change and often bring their own interoperability, inconsistency and overlap problems.

Annual Reviews in Control

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Decentralised support schemes only add to this problem.

The Guardian

But miscalculations by government and industry have added to this problem.

The New York Times

There is a third class of motions which adds to this problem: surface-induced secondary circulations (SISCs).

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

But add to this problem a future sea-level rise wrought by climate change, and islanders who today experience deluges of tidal flooding once every month or two could see their homes unfit for human habitation within the coming decades.

The New York Times

The shortage of refining capacity in the U.S. only adds to this problem.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adding to this problem", ensure the context clearly establishes the initial problem being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "adding to this problem" for minor inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the initial issue is already significant and the additional factor genuinely worsens it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adding to this problem" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that something is exacerbating an existing issue. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples show its role in connecting a new factor to a pre-existing problem, illustrating a cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adding to this problem" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is making an existing issue worse. According to Ludwig, it effectively connects a new factor to a pre-existing problem. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to use the phrase when the issue is significant enough to warrant the emphasis on deterioration. Alternatives like "worsening this issue" or "exacerbating this difficulty" offer similar meanings, but may vary in formality or emphasis. Remember to clearly define the original problem to avoid ambiguity when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worsening this issue

Focuses more directly on the act of making the issue worse.

exacerbating this difficulty

More formal and emphasizes the intensification of the difficulty.

compounding this matter

Suggests adding complexity or weight to the existing matter.

aggravating this situation

Implies making the situation more troublesome or irritating.

magnifying this problem

Suggests increasing the apparent size or importance of the problem.

fuelling this crisis

Implies providing more resources to an already critical situation, worsening it.

inflaming this conflict

Suggests intensifying the conflict or making it more heated.

augmenting this challenge

Emphasizes the act of increasing the intensity of the challenge.

contributing to this problem

A more neutral way of saying something is adding to the problem, without necessarily making it dramatically worse.

deepening this crisis

Focuses on making the crisis more profound or severe.

FAQs

What does "adding to this problem" mean?

The phrase "adding to this problem" means that something is making an existing issue or difficulty worse or more complicated.

How can I use "adding to this problem" in a sentence?

You can use "adding to this problem" to indicate that a specific action or situation is exacerbating a pre-existing challenge. For example: "The lack of funding is "adding to this problem", making it difficult to implement effective solutions."

What are some alternatives to "adding to this problem"?

Some alternatives to "adding to this problem" include "worsening this issue", "exacerbating this difficulty", or "contributing to this problem". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "contributing to this problem" and "adding to this problem"?

While similar, "adding to this problem" often suggests a more direct and noticeable impact than "contributing to this problem". "Contributing to" can imply a smaller or less direct effect, while "adding to" typically implies a more significant increase in the problem's severity.