on top of everything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on top of everything" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is an additional burden or responsibility on top of existing ones. Example: "I have a full schedule this week, and on top of everything, I need to prepare for my presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Internet is so big that no one can stay on top of everything.

The New York Times

He's on top of everything".

The New York Times - Sports

Audrey is on top of everything.

The New York Times

On top of everything else, not that.

The Guardian - Opinion

And in that sickly state on top of everything!

The New Yorker

On top of everything, he had money troubles.

The New York Times

Critics ask, How can regulators stay on top of everything?

The New York Times

But on top of everything else it's obviously hilarious.

The Guardian - Music

Fold over and lay on top of everything else.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm singing and wailing on top of everything".

The Guardian - Music

I've found a way to stay on top of everything".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on top of everything" to clearly signal that you are adding another element, often a challenging one, to an existing situation. This helps emphasize the cumulative effect of multiple factors.

Common error

Avoid using "on top of everything" when a simple addition is intended. The phrase implies an extra burden or complication, not just any additional item. Consider using "also" or "in addition" for neutral additions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on top of everything" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an additional element, often implying a complication or burden to an existing situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It's used to emphasize the cumulative effect of multiple factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on top of everything" is a correct and commonly used prepositional phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to introduce an additional, often burdensome, element to a situation. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, and while appropriate for general communication, it should be used judiciously in formal academic contexts. Remember that "on top of everything" implies more than just a simple addition; it suggests an added complication or difficulty. Consider alternatives like "in addition to everything else" for neutrality or "to make matters worse" when emphasizing a negative impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in addition to everything else

Focuses on the additive nature of the situation.

besides everything else

Highlights the supplementary aspect of the situation.

over and above everything else

Emphasizes the excess or surplus aspect.

on top of all that

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the core meaning.

as if that weren't enough

Adds a sense of exasperation or disbelief.

to make matters worse

Highlights the negative impact of the additional circumstance.

on top of what's already happening

Emphasizes the current state of affairs.

as an added burden

Specifically refers to the extra weight or difficulty.

furthermore

A more formal way to introduce an additional point.

moreover

Another formal term indicating an addition to what has already been stated.

FAQs

How can I use "on top of everything" in a sentence?

Use "on top of everything" to indicate an additional burden or circumstance, as in, "I had a deadline, and "on top of everything", my computer crashed."

What can I say instead of "on top of everything"?

You can use alternatives like "in addition to everything else", "besides everything else", or "to make matters worse" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "on top of all thing" instead of "on top of everything"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "on top of everything". "On top of all thing" is not standard English and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "on top of everything" and "in addition to that"?

"On top of everything" typically implies an accumulation of difficulties or burdens, whereas "in addition to that" is a more neutral way to add information without necessarily suggesting a negative impact.