are adding up to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are adding up to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that various elements or factors are cumulatively leading to a particular result or conclusion. Example: "The various expenses and unexpected costs are adding up to a significant amount that we need to address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

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

Huffington Post

And the giveaways are adding up to a gigantic bill for taxpayers.

The New York Times

For now, more gay characters and better scripts are adding up to more fulfilling work.

The New York Times

Now, Ponzi-related losses are adding up to hundreds of millions of dollars.

The New York Times

Of course, this led to the Giants' first run, another of those tiny little plays that are adding up to a Giant party in San Francisco.

The New York Times - Sports

"We don't know the answer to that," he said, "but Japan has taken dozens of half steps in many areas that are adding up to significant change".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

To the air stream is added up to 10% by mass of water spray, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen.

Combustion and Flame

In case of multiple episodes of inflammation, the duration of visual loss in individual episodes was added up to obtain the total duration.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Over time, it's added up to $20,000 in damage.

Los Angeles Times

It's added up to 10 touchdowns on the ground and 307 yards in 94 carries.

Los Angeles Times

That's added up to high costs -- the report states the city spent $20,000 on new signs over the past decade.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are adding up to" when you want to emphasize that multiple small contributions are collectively creating a significant result. For example, "Small donations from many individuals are adding up to a substantial fund for the charity."

Common error

Avoid using "are adding up to" when referring to a single, large contribution or event. The phrase is most effective when describing the collective impact of numerous smaller factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are adding up to" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a cumulative process leading to a result. This highlights how individual elements combine to create a final outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "are adding up to" effectively conveys the idea of cumulative impact. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Its versatile nature makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from formal business reports to news articles. While alternatives like ""are amounting to"" and "are totaling" exist, "are adding up to" remains a clear and concise way to describe how multiple factors contribute to a final outcome. Remember to use it when emphasizing the collective effect of smaller contributions, and avoid it for single, isolated events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are amounting to

Replaces "adding up" with "amounting", focusing on the final sum or total.

are totaling

Similar to "amounting to", but emphasizes the process of summation to reach a total.

are accumulating to

Highlights the gradual increase and build-up towards a final result.

are contributing to

Focuses on the individual contributions that lead to a larger outcome.

are culminating in

Emphasizes the final result as the climax or culmination of a series of events.

are resulting in

Indicates that the combined effect is causing a specific outcome.

are leading to

Similar to "resulting in", but suggests a directional progression towards a future event.

are building up to

Stresses the gradual accumulation and anticipation of an impending event.

are converging on

Highlights the coming together of different elements to form a unified whole.

are factoring into

Suggests that various elements are being considered in the calculation of a final result.

FAQs

What does "are adding up to" mean?

The phrase "are adding up to" signifies that several elements or factors are collectively leading to a specific result or conclusion. It highlights the cumulative effect of multiple contributions.

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

You can use "are adding up to" to describe how different actions, expenses, or observations are culminating in a particular outcome. For instance, "The increasing costs of materials and labor "are amounting to" a significant increase in the project's budget."

What are some alternatives to "are adding up to"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""are amounting to"", "are totaling", or "are accumulating to", which all convey the idea of a cumulative effect.

Is it correct to say "is adding up to" instead of "are adding up to"?

No, "is adding up to" is grammatically incorrect when referring to multiple elements. You should use "are adding up to" because the subject is plural. However, if the subject is singular (like 'everything') then "is adding up to" is correct as in "Everything is adding up to something."