make an addition

USAGE SUMMARY

How about this example: "Please make an addition to your notes about the new project details." Yes, "make an addition" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to add something to existing information, such as notes or a document. Another example: "Can you make an addition to your essay by including more evidence to support your argument?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The owners of the Waters Edge declined to comment, other than to insist that that the last thing they wanted to do was make an addition, not waves.

The New York Times

People may think that when you make an addition of three or four buildings, it becomes monumental, but this is not the case.

The New York Times

At the time J. Max Bond Jr., Harvard '55, a partner at Davis Brody Bond, said the goal was to make an addition "that reflected our time".

The New York Times

If I can contribute to the well-being of our society and make an addition to the entropy, I am happy.

The New York Times

To a varied and occasionally coruscating CV that includes a stint at the bar, a spell in the cabinet and regular slots on the nation's airwaves, David Mellor can now make an addition: penitent groveller.

The Guardian

Mr. Maki said, "The U.N. reminded us that whatever we did we had to respect the existing building and not make an addition that is too aggressive or too iconographic, but rather friendly and quiet".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Recently, Mayor Bloomberg made an addition to the no-no list: consuming sugary beverages larger than sixteen ounces.

The New Yorker

Speciality chemicals manufacturer Eastman Chemical Co has made an addition to its non-phthalate plasticizer portfolio with Eastman VersaBond™ plasticizer.

Additives for Polymers

He found that the version we've been playing is wrong: somebody made an addition that wasn't necessarily approved by Tchaikovsky, but it became the standard edition.

The Guardian

The New Yorker, April 26 , 1930 P. 11Butler overheard his master and mistress discussing the possibility of making an addition to their garden in the spring.

The New Yorker

Below is a rare example of a content revision where he made an addition (indicated by ) to his text.

Language Testing in Asia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make an addition" when you want to emphasize the act of adding something new or supplemental to an existing item or situation. It's often suitable for formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "make an addition" in very informal contexts where simpler words like "add" or "include" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an addition" functions as a verb phrase followed by an article and a noun, indicating the action of supplementing something. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is indeed correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make an addition" is a grammatically sound way to express the action of adding something to an existing entity. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is considered correct and common in writing. While not overly formal, it fits comfortably in neutral to professional contexts and is found across news, general reference and scientific writing. Alternative phrases such as "add something" or "include something" may be suitable for more informal situations. When using "make an addition", consider the context and whether a simpler phrasing would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

add something

Focuses on the act of adding, removing the formality of "addition".

include something

Emphasizes the incorporation of something within a larger context.

append information

Implies adding information at the end of a document or record.

supplement with

Suggests enhancing something by adding extra elements or details.

make a contribution

Highlights the positive impact of the addition.

insert detail

Focuses on putting a specific piece of information into something.

bring to bear

Indicates adding influence, pressure, or force.

augment with

Suggests increasing the quantity or value of something.

attach component

Implies physically connecting or adding a part to something.

affix element

Similar to attach, but might refer to something less physical or tangible.

FAQs

How can I use "make an addition" in a sentence?

You can use "make an addition" when you want to describe the act of adding something to an existing document or situation. For example, "Please "make an addition" to your notes about the meeting."

What is a simpler way to say "make an addition"?

Simpler alternatives to "make an addition" include phrases like "add something", "include something", or even just "add" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "make an addition" or "do an addition"?

"Make an addition" is the correct and more common phrase. "Do an addition" is less standard and may sound awkward in most contexts.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "make an addition"?

The phrase "make an addition" is best suited for formal or professional scenarios. In more casual settings, using a simpler term like "add" might be more appropriate.