to add on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to add on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to including something additional or extra to an existing item or situation. Example: "If you want to enhance your presentation, you might consider to add on some visual aids."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We haven't been able to add on," Wells said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were trying to add on," Manager Bobby Valentine said.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is real quality, and there's room to add on".

The New York Times

Knutsson has little to add on specific details, but acknowledges the ambition.

The Guardian - Tech

Some insurers allow people to add on this cover for a small extra premium.

The Guardian - Money

The homeowner trying to add on may be even more grateful for the new loan.

The New York Times

But Churchwell has interesting details to add on all these subjects.

The Guardian - Books

Throughout the city, homeowners are choosing to add on, build up and build out.

Los Angeles Times

If you have any suggestions to add on, do let me know.

Huffington Post

So engineers have had to add on one patch after another.

The New Yorker

No further to add on that one.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to add on", ensure the context clearly indicates that something is being attached or supplemented to an existing item or situation. For instance, "They decided to add on a new wing to the house".

Common error

Avoid using "add on" when a simpler verb like "add" or "include" is more appropriate. Overusing "add on" can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. Instead of saying "Please add on your name to the list", say "Please add your name to the list".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to add on" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of supplementing or attaching something extra to an existing entity. According to Ludwig, this usage is considered grammatically correct. Examples show it in contexts of both physical additions and conceptual enhancements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "to add on" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate the supplementation or attachment of something extra to an existing entity. As verified by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to more informal settings like wikis. While it's generally considered neutral in register, it's important to remember that simpler alternatives like "add" might be more appropriate in certain situations to avoid unnecessary verbosity. When used correctly, "to add on" effectively conveys the idea of increment and enhancement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to include

Means to contain something as part of a whole.

to supplement

Implies providing something additional to enhance or complete the existing thing.

to append

Suggests attaching something to the end of something else.

to build upon

Suggests using something as a foundation to create something more complex.

to augment

Means to increase or enhance something.

to attach

Refers to fastening or joining something to something else.

to affix

Similar to 'attach', but often implies a more formal or permanent connection.

to tack on

Implies adding something quickly or carelessly.

to contribute

Implies giving or adding something to a common supply or effort.

to superimpose

Suggests placing one thing on top of another, so that both are still apparent.

FAQs

How can I use "to add on" in a sentence?

You can use "to add on" to describe supplementing something, such as "They decided "to add on" an extra bedroom to their house" or "The company plans "to add on" new features to its software".

What are some alternatives to "to add on"?

Alternatives include "to supplement", "to include", "to append", or "to attach", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "add on" as a single word?

"Add-on" (with a hyphen) is commonly used as a noun or adjective (e.g., "an add-on feature"). However, "add on" (two words) is used as a verb phrase, as in ""to add on" extra features".

What's the difference between "to add" and "to add on"?

"To add" generally means to combine or include something. "To add on" specifically implies attaching or supplementing something extra to an existing base or structure. The difference is the idea of something being appended.