by adding to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by adding to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of increasing or supplementing something, often in a context of improvement or enhancement. Example: "The project was successful by adding to the existing resources and collaborating with other teams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It emphasizes that an improv performer be constructive -- by adding to scenes -- not negative.

The New York Times - Arts

Others, such as CO2, cause warming by adding to the the greenhouse effect.

The Guardian

I resolved this by adding to my tweet, "A phrase coined by the late Robert Bingham".

The New Yorker

All of this spending will need to be financed by adding to the federal debt.

The New York Times

He even buffed up the city's curb appeal by adding to the sidewalk-replacement fund.

The New Yorker

It is essentially paying a single year's bill by adding to its already heavy debt load.

The New York Times

Blending frequently improves quality by adding to the complexity of the wine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is building enormous financial imbalances by adding to China's huge pile of dollar reserves.

The New York Times

And foreclosures intensify house-price falls by adding to the stock of unsold houses.

The Economist

By adding to the existing high tax burden in the housing market, it would reduce Australian living standards.

The Guardian

Lane started Dedalus in 1983, raising the £10,000 start-up costs by adding to his mortgage.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by adding to" to clearly indicate that something is being increased or enhanced, specifying what is being added and what is being enhanced for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "by adding to" when a simpler verb like "adding" or "including" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by adding to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the method or means by which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It often specifies how something is enhanced or increased.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by adding to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the means by which something is enhanced or increased. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure you are clearly specifying what is being added and what is being enhanced to maintain clarity. Avoid overuse in situations where simpler alternatives suffice. By being mindful of these considerations, you can effectively use "by adding to" to add precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by supplementing with

Focuses on providing an additional element for improvement.

by supplementing to

More direct way to indicate the act of supplementing something.

by enhancing with

Suggests improving something by adding specific qualities or features.

through supplementation of

Emphasizes the act of supplementing, suggesting a more formal tone.

via the inclusion of

Highlights the process of including something to enhance or augment.

via incorporation of

Focuses on formally including something as part of a larger structure or system.

through the augmentation of

Uses a more technical term, 'augmentation', indicating a deliberate increase or expansion.

by increasing with

Suggests that the increase happens along with something else

by contributing towards

Indicates making a contribution that increases the whole.

by building upon

Suggests using an existing foundation and extending it further.

FAQs

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

Use "by adding to" to explain how something is being increased or supplemented, such as "The project improved "by adding to" the existing resources and collaborating with other teams".

What are some alternatives to "by adding to"?

You can use alternatives like "by supplementing with", "through the inclusion of", or "via incorporation of" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "by adding to", or can I simply use "adding"?

While "by adding to" provides a specific emphasis on the method of enhancement, sometimes the simpler verb "adding" is sufficient and more concise. Consider the context to determine the best choice.

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

"By adding to" focuses on increasing the quantity or amount, while "by contributing to" implies that you provide something to achieve a goal or result.