are adding to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are adding to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action of increasing or contributing to something, often in a progressive context. Example: "The researchers are adding to the body of knowledge in their field with their latest findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We are adding to them".

The New Yorker

Cruise ships are adding to the pressure.

The Guardian

Worries about China are adding to Asia's uneasiness.

The New York Times

But the defined-contribution plans are adding to inequalities.

The New York Times

Legal costs on insurance claims are adding to premiums.

The Guardian - Money

Rising fringe ticket prices are adding to the Edinburgh pain.

The Guardian

"We need armed presence, and we are adding to it".

The New York Times

New-build flat developments are adding to the problem.

Independent

New foreign investors are adding to the pressure.

The Economist

Republicans are adding to their efforts in Michigan.

The New York Times

Rising prices are adding to ordinary people's woes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are adding to" to describe a situation where something is being increased or augmented, whether it's a positive addition or a contribution to a problem. For example, "New investments are adding to the company's growth."

Common error

Avoid using "are adding to" with non-countable nouns when you intend to convey a complete replacement instead of an increase. For instance, instead of saying "They are adding to the information", consider using "They are supplementing the information" if you mean they're providing extra details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are adding to" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing action of increasing or contributing to something. It suggests that something is being supplemented or augmented. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, aligning with various examples demonstrating its active role in sentence construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are adding to" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a process of increasing or contributing to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "are contributing to" or "are increasing" exist, "are adding to" specifically highlights the act of supplementing or augmenting an existing situation. Remember to avoid using it when describing complete replacements, and consider the context to ensure precise communication. Its prevalence in authoritative sources reinforces its reliability and appropriateness in formal and informal writing alike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are contributing to

Focuses on the act of giving or supplying something, but does not necessarily imply increase in quantity.

are increasing

Emphasizes the process of becoming larger or greater, often in a measurable way.

are supplementing

Suggests providing something extra to enhance completeness.

are enhancing

Highlights the improvement or intensification of a quality or attribute.

are building upon

Implies using something as a foundation for further development.

are exacerbating

Specifically refers to making a problem or negative situation worse.

are intensifying

Suggests making something stronger or more extreme.

are amplifying

Indicates increasing the volume or intensity of sound or other signals, but can also apply metaphorically.

are compounding

Refers to the act of accumulating something, often in a way that intensifies its effect.

are furthering

Indicates the act of helping something to progress or advance.

FAQs

How can I use "are adding to" in a sentence?

Use "are adding to" to indicate that something is increasing or contributing to an existing situation. For example, "Rising costs "are adding to" the pressure on families."

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

You can use alternatives such as "are contributing to", "are increasing", or "are supplementing" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "are adding to" and "are contributing to"?

While both phrases suggest involvement, "are adding to" specifically implies an increase in quantity or intensity, whereas "are contributing to" can simply mean providing support without necessarily increasing something.

When is it incorrect to use the phrase "are adding to"?

It would be incorrect to use "are adding to" if you mean replacing something entirely rather than increasing or supplementing it. In such cases, use alternatives like "are replacing" or "are substituting".