put on top of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put on top of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the action of placing one object over another. Example: "Please put the book on top of the table." Alternative expressions include "place on" and "set atop."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For example, you can market a cookie with a different icing than you normally put on top of the cookie as a seasonal cookie.

WikiHow

He chopped a banana, to put on top of the girls' cornflakes.

The New Yorker

"Now I've got something really special to put on top of the Christmas tree".

Independent

They ask, what will you put on top of the floors?

The New York Times

… There is the sound of the voice … and your attitude you put on top of it".

The Guardian - Books

"There'll be more than enough to put on top of you".

The Guardian

Season the lamb well and put on top of the fennel with half the stock and the white wine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Blot excess fat from asparagus if you like, put on top of the miso butter, and top with poached eggs.

The New York Times

"Being put on top of each other and forced to masturbate, being naked in front of each other — it's all a form of torture," Haykel said.

The New Yorker

"Now that everything is digital," he said, "I like the Old World idea of something to put on top of the piles of paper on my desk.

The New York Times

Pile the peas on the toasted bread, drain the now-bright-purple onions from their liquid and put on top of the peas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing layered instructions (e.g., in cooking), use "put on top of" to clearly indicate the order in which ingredients should be added.

Common error

Avoid using "put on top of" when discussing abstract concepts where "add to" or "build upon" would be more appropriate. For example, instead of "putting responsibility on top of their workload", try "adding responsibility to their workload".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on top of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the placement of an object above another. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, from food preparation to describing physical arrangements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

14%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put on top of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the action of placing something above something else. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used across various contexts, from recipes and DIY guides to news articles and scientific papers. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's important to consider the context and choose more precise alternatives like "place atop" or "superimpose on" when appropriate. Keep in mind to avoid using "put on top of" when discussing abstract concepts and prefer alternatives as "add to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place atop

This alternative emphasizes a more formal or concise way of saying something is placed on the upper surface.

set upon

This suggests a deliberate action of putting something onto another, often implying a sense of purpose.

lay over

This is used when covering something completely with another layer.

cover with

Indicates the action of spreading or placing something over a surface to conceal or protect.

stack on

This implies a vertical arrangement, one item directly above the other.

pile on

Suggests placing items in a disorganized heap on top of something.

superimpose on

This suggests adding one thing so that it appears to overlay another, often in a visual context.

affix to the summit of

This alternative is very formal and emphasizes attaching something to the highest point.

mount upon

Suggests fixing or attaching something onto the surface of something else.

position above

Implies placing something in a higher location directly over something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "put on top of" to describe physically placing one item above another, as in, "He "put on top of" the cake a layer of frosting".

What phrases are similar to "put on top of"?

Alternatives to "put on top of" include "place atop", "set upon", or "lay over", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a more formal way to say "put on top of"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "place atop" or "superimpose on", suitable for academic or professional writing.

How do I avoid misusing "put on top of"?

Be careful not to overuse "put on top of" in abstract contexts. For intangible concepts, consider using verbs like "add", "increase", or "build upon" instead.