didn't add up

USAGE SUMMARY

"didn't add up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that does not seem consistent or logical. For example, "The numbers in her report didn't add up, so I asked her to look over her calculations again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Things just didn't add up".

The Guardian

Even those didn't add up to £10.5bn.

The Guardian

While her points didn't add up, she praised her opponents.

The New York Times

But in the end her story "didn't add up".

The Guardian

The problem: it didn't add up to a whole lot.

The New York Times

But it didn't add up to much," he says.

The New Yorker

"It reached the point where the answers didn't add up".

The New York Times

Some details about the video didn't add up, though.

The Guardian

— but your numbers didn't add up, then what?

The New Yorker

THE numbers didn't add up: Ten years of writing soap operas on network television.

The New York Times

Many of the details of her story didn't add up or seemed implausible.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "didn't add up" when you want to express that something seems inconsistent, illogical, or implausible. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "didn't add up" when you actually mean something is difficult to calculate arithmetically. This phrase refers to logical inconsistencies, not mathematical ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "didn't add up" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing that something lacks coherence or consistency. Ludwig AI shows the usage in sentences where a story, evidence, or numbers are being evaluated for their logical soundness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "didn't add up" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate a lack of logical consistency or coherence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and readily applicable across diverse contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media. When something "didn't add up", it suggests that details are inconsistent, or implausible, leading to doubt or disbelief. Alternatives like "didn't make sense" or "didn't hold water" can be employed to convey similar meanings, adjusting for formality and emphasis. Remember that "didn't add up" is best used for logical inconsistencies, not mathematical ones, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't make sense

Focuses on the lack of logical coherence.

didn't compute

Emphasizes a failure in logical processing.

didn't hold water

Suggests a lack of credibility or soundness.

didn't stand up to scrutiny

Highlights the inability to withstand close examination.

was inconsistent

Indicates a lack of uniformity or agreement.

was illogical

Directly states the absence of logical reasoning.

didn't ring true

Implies a lack of authenticity or genuineness.

didn't quite gel

Suggests a failure to come together cohesively.

something was off

Indicates that something seemed amiss or wrong.

aroused suspicion

Highlights the creation of doubt or mistrust.

FAQs

What does "didn't add up" mean?

The phrase "didn't add up" means that something seemed inconsistent, illogical, or implausible. It suggests that the facts or details presented don't align in a sensible way.

How can I use "didn't add up" in a sentence?

You might say, "The suspect's alibi "didn't add up", so the police investigated further" or "The numbers in the financial report "didn't add up", raising concerns about potential fraud."

What's a more formal way to say "didn't add up"?

In a more formal context, you could say "was inconsistent", "was illogical", or "didn't stand up to scrutiny".

Which is correct, "didn't add up" or "doesn't add up"?

"Didn't add up" is past tense, indicating something didn't make sense in the past. "Doesn't add up" is present tense, indicating something doesn't make sense now. Choose the tense that matches the time frame you're describing.