doesn't add up

USAGE SUMMARY

"doesn't add up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom which means that a situation or story is confusing or does not make sense. For example: "I heard him tell two different stories, but they both contradict each other. It doesn't add up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The arithmetic doesn't add up".

The Guardian

Commerce doesn't add up neatly.

The New York Times - Food

That doesn't add up, does it?

Independent

"That doesn't add up to wins.

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't add up, does it?

The Guardian

"It just doesn't add up," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

And "35 ½" doesn't add up to enough.

The New York Times - Arts

But something simply doesn't add up here.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it doesn't add up to much.

The New York Times - Arts

"The math doesn't add up," he said.

The Guardian - Business

"It doesn't add up," Mr. McCain said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doesn't add up" to express that facts or details of a situation don't logically connect or make sense together. This idiom is effective in pointing out inconsistencies or suggesting something is amiss.

Common error

Avoid using "doesn't add up" to describe something that is merely difficult or challenging. This phrase should be reserved for scenarios where there is a clear inconsistency or logical fallacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doesn't add up" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a lack of logical consistency or coherence in a situation or set of facts. Ludwig AI's examples show it frequently used to express disbelief or suspicion when something seems amiss.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Food

7%

Sports

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "doesn't add up" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something lacks logical consistency or coherence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in diverse contexts, mainly news and media, though less common in more formal settings. For alternative expressions, you might consider phrases like "doesn't make sense" or "something is fishy". When writing, reserve this phrase for scenarios where a genuine inconsistency exists, rather than a general challenge or difficulty. Remember that while versatile, it leans towards the informal side.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't make sense

Focuses on the lack of logical coherence.

doesn't compute

Emphasizes a failure of logical calculation or reasoning.

something is fishy

Highlights suspicion or a sense that something is wrong or deceitful.

something is amiss

Indicates that something is not as it should be, suggesting a problem or irregularity.

the numbers don't align

Focuses on a discrepancy in numerical data or figures.

the story doesn't hold water

Suggests that an explanation or account is weak, unconvincing, or illogical.

it's all a bit suspect

Indicates a general feeling of doubt or mistrust.

there's something strange going on

Suggests an unusual or inexplicable situation is occurring.

it seems improbable

Highlights that something is unlikely or hard to believe.

that's quite questionable

Emphasizes the dubiousness or uncertainty of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "doesn't add up" to indicate that something is inconsistent or illogical. For example: "The suspect's alibi had several inconsistencies; it just "doesn't add up"."

What does "doesn't add up" mean?

The phrase "doesn't add up" means that facts, details, or pieces of information do not logically connect or make sense together, suggesting something is wrong or inconsistent.

What can I say instead of "doesn't add up"?

You can use alternatives like "doesn't make sense", "something is fishy", or "something is amiss" depending on the context.

Is "doesn't add up" formal or informal?

"Doesn't add up" is generally considered informal and is best suited for everyday conversations, news articles, or casual writing. More formal contexts may require phrases like "is inconsistent" or "lacks coherence".