things are adding up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things are adding up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that various pieces of information or evidence are coming together to form a clearer picture or conclusion. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, it seems that things are adding up, and we may have a solid case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

All those little things are adding up right now".

The New York Times - Sports

Even so, she said, the little things are adding up, and she's had to cut back elsewhere: "I don't buy clothes anymore".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Retailers lowered their expectations," he said, "but when all things are added up, it will still be worse than that".

The New York Times

The weird thing is that when it comes down to it, I'm pretty hard pressed to point out any substantial differences at all between the XBox One and the PS4, but I think there are a lot of small things that Sony is doing that are adding up, and I think the Steamboxes are going to take a bite out of Xbox's pie too, especially on the hardcore gamer end of the spectrum.

The Guardian - Tech

Among other things, if you're adding up casualties in this unnamed war, 1,500 women are murdered annually by their husbands or boyfriends.

Huffington Post

When all the factors are added up, a few things come into focus.

The New York Times - Sports

It's little things, but they're adding up.

Vice

This would, all things being equal, add up to some $11 billion.Yet what looks like good news for media firms is rather worrisome for champions of an open internet.

The Economist

These are unusual things for a computer game to be adding up.

The New York Times - Tech

We're filming for three weeks, and of course we're still accepting donations because things are just adding up as they go.

Huffington Post

Things aren't adding up on Benghazi.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things are adding up" when you want to express that separate pieces of information or events are beginning to form a coherent and meaningful whole. It's particularly effective in situations where the overall picture wasn't initially clear.

Common error

Avoid using "things are adding up" when describing a situation where a single, significant event is the primary driver. This phrase is more appropriate when multiple smaller factors contribute to the overall outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things are adding up" functions as an idiomatic expression to indicate that various pieces of information, events, or circumstances are converging to create a clearer understanding or conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "things are adding up" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed idiomatic phrase used to convey the idea that disparate pieces of information or events are converging to form a coherent understanding. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral register, making it suitable for a variety of communicative purposes. While alternatives like "the pieces are falling into place" and "the evidence is mounting" exist, "things are adding up" remains a versatile and readily understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the pieces are falling into place

This suggests a situation where previously disparate elements are now aligning to create a coherent picture.

the puzzle is coming together

Implies that separate pieces of a puzzle are beginning to form a complete picture.

the clues are converging

Implies that individual clues or pieces of information are pointing towards a common conclusion.

everything is clicking into place

Indicates that various elements are fitting together seamlessly and harmoniously.

it's all starting to make sense

Indicates a growing understanding or comprehension of a situation.

the situation is becoming clearer

Suggests that an unclear situation is gradually becoming more comprehensible and understandable.

the evidence is mounting

Highlights the accumulation of evidence supporting a particular viewpoint or conclusion.

the signs are accumulating

Suggests that various signs or indicators are collectively pointing to a specific outcome.

developments are accumulating

Similar to "things are adding up", it focuses more on a continuous growth in terms of progress.

information is accumulating

This suggests a continuous increase in the number of hints available.

FAQs

How can I use "things are adding up" in a sentence?

You can use "things are adding up" to suggest that a series of events or pieces of information are beginning to make sense or point to a particular conclusion. For example, "After reviewing the financial reports, it seems "things are adding up", and we may be facing a significant loss".

What's a more formal alternative to "things are adding up"?

In a more formal setting, you could use phrases like "the evidence is converging" or "the indications suggest" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

What does it mean when someone says "things aren't adding up"?

When someone says "things aren't adding up", it typically means that there are inconsistencies or discrepancies in the available information, suggesting that something is amiss or not as it seems.

Is "things are adding up" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, ""things are adding up"" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more precise and analytical language, such as "the data suggest a correlation" or "the findings indicate a trend".