adding up to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adding up to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe a sum or total of something. Example: "The cost of the new project is adding up to more than we anticipated." This means that the total cost of the project is becoming more expensive than initially expected. Another example: "Her consistent hard work is adding up to a successful career." This means that her hard work is leading to a successful career. Additionally, "adding up to" can also be used in a figurative sense, such as in the phrase "all the evidence is adding up to a clear conclusion." This means that the evidence is pointing towards a specific conclusion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The metallic glass matrix remains amorphous after adding up to 20 vol.% of particles.

Acta Materialia

The days and nights wasted, doing nothing important adding up to the favorite years.

The New Yorker

It calls for cuts possibly adding up to 20%.

Science Magazine

"It's all adding up to what's hopefully going to be a great final".

BBC

He also received bonuses adding up to $134,500.

Huffington Post

Some contained cash in varying amounts, adding up to what Heer estimated was about $500.

Los Angeles Times

But now the numbers are adding up to something else entirely.

Huffington Post

Four to five mice per group were used, adding up to 78 mice in total.

Plosone

Ones and noughts adding up to everything and nothing.

The Guardian

For him it was "sketches adding up to a play".

The New York Times

Is it all adding up to too much Monet?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adding up to", ensure that the elements being summed or combined are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The late fees and interest are adding up to a significant debt."

Common error

Avoid using "adding up to" when referring to abstract or non-quantifiable concepts. Instead of saying "The stress and anxiety are adding up to depression", consider "contributing to" or "leading to" for better accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adding up to" functions primarily as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject (often a list of items or quantities) to a resultant total or outcome. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it often shows a cumulative effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "adding up to" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a sum or result. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. While semantically similar phrases like "amounting to" and "totaling" exist, each carries subtle differences in implication and formality. When using "adding up to", ensure clarity by defining the elements being combined and avoiding its misuse with non-quantifiable concepts. The phrase enjoys a neutral register, rendering it appropriate for various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totaling

Focuses specifically on the mathematical calculation of a sum.

amounting to

Similar to "adding up to", but can imply a more formal or official calculation.

equaling

Implies a direct equivalence or mathematical result.

resulting in

Shifts the focus to the outcome or consequence of a process.

contributing to

Highlights the individual contributions towards a larger effect.

leading to

Emphasizes the progression or path towards a certain result.

culminating in

Suggests a final or climactic result after a period of development.

coming to

More informal way to express the final result.

maturing into

Expresses the idea of progressive development of the result.

aggregating to

Focuses on the process of accumulating items or quantities into a total.

FAQs

How to use "adding up to" in a sentence?

Use "adding up to" to describe how smaller values combine to create a larger total. For example, "The various expenses are adding up to a considerable amount."

What can I say instead of "adding up to"?

You can use alternatives like "amounting to", "totaling", or "equaling" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "adding up to" or "adds up to"?

"Adding up to" is used when referring to multiple items accumulating to a total, while "adds up to" is used when referring to a singular entity or concept. For example, "The numbers are adding up to a large sum", versus "The evidence adds up to a conviction."

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

"Adding up to" implies a quantifiable sum, whereas "contributing to" suggests influence or partial causation without necessarily implying a numerical total.