on top of that

USAGE SUMMARY

"on top of that" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to an additional point, concept, etc. in addition to those already mentioned. For example: "I'm already feeling overwhelmed, and on top of that I have a presentation to give tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Reservations on top of that.

Stanford University

This will be on top of that.

The Guardian

And on top of that came the mysteries of performance.

The Economist

"It's on top of that.

Huffington Post

Russia's contribution comes on top of that.

Huffington Post

This is on top of that.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

On top of that came famine.

Los Angeles Times

On top of that was the 3-month waiting period.

BMC Nursing

There's nothing on top of that.

BBC

"The medicine is on top of that.

BBC

Then it places another layer on top of that one, and another on top of that.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "on top of that" in a single paragraph. Vary your transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Common error

Don't use "on top of that" when you want to express cause and effect. Instead of saying "The car broke down, and on top of that, I was late for work", use causal connectors like "because of that", "therefore", or "as a result".

How to use

Learn how to use "on top of that" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on top of that" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to introduce an additional piece of information that builds upon a previous statement. It connects ideas by indicating an additive relationship between them, contributing to the flow and coherence of the text.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on top of that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce additional information, reinforcing or amplifying a previous statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While generally neutral in formality, it's best to avoid overusing it and to replace it with a more suitable option like "in addition to that", "furthermore", or "moreover". Remember not to use it when indicating a cause-and-effect relationship and you'll find that it can improve your sentences and writing style overall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in addition to that

Replaces "on top of" with "in addition to", maintaining the additive meaning.

furthermore

A more formal synonym that indicates an addition to a previous statement.

moreover

Similar to "furthermore", adding extra weight to the previous point.

besides that

Indicates an additional point separate from but related to the first.

additionally

A direct synonym emphasizing the act of adding information.

what's more

An idiomatic way to introduce an additional, often surprising, fact.

to boot

An informal idiom for adding something extra, often positive.

over and above that

Emphasizes that the addition is beyond what was already mentioned.

as well

A simple way to indicate inclusion of something else.

on top of everything else

Highlights that the addition compounds existing issues or factors.

FAQs

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

Use "on top of that" to introduce an additional point that reinforces the previous one. For example, "The weather was terrible, and "on top of that", we missed our flight."

What phrases can I use instead of "on top of that"?

You can use alternatives like "in addition to that", "furthermore", or "moreover" to add information.

Is "on top of that" formal or informal?

"On top of that" is generally considered neutral in formality. While suitable for most writing, more formal alternatives like "furthermore" or "moreover" may be preferable in highly formal contexts.

When is it inappropriate to use "on top of that"?

Avoid using "on top of that" when you want to show a cause-and-effect relationship. In such cases, use phrases like "as a result" or "therefore" instead.