to append

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to append" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts involving adding something to the end of a document, list, or data structure. Example: "Please remember to append your signature at the end of the document before submitting it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So was able to append that to his Record.

The New Yorker

Without having to append LOL to the end.

The New York Times

This article was amended on 22 July 2016 to append a quote from The Royal Parks.

The Guardian

This article was amended on 20 June 2014 to append a comment from Atos Healthcare.

The Guardian

The way to blunt this effect is to append labor and environmental standards to trade agreements.

The New York Times

"The food is excellent," I said, stifling the impulse to append "Your Excellency" to the assessment.

The New Yorker

Rabbi Taub is one who is working to append the official history.

The New York Times

I would like to append two important, white hip-hop producers and one totally unimportant rapper.

The New Yorker

Those "just" being a mom felt pressure to append an "and".

The New York Times - Magazine

This article was amended on 14 August 2014 to append a statement issued by the Israeli embassy in London.

The Guardian

Perez wrote to F.D.A. officials, urging them to append to OxyContin packaging a warning about the risk of addiction.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer this term in scientific or technical writing to provide more precision than the general verb "to add".

Common error

Do not use "to append" if you are inserting information into the middle or beginning of a text. For additions at the beginning, use the term "to prepend" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to append" serves as an infinitive verb phrase that typically functions as a direct object or an adverbial phrase of purpose. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to denote the action of attaching or adding something as a supplement, specifically at the end of a structure. It is frequently employed after verbs of intent or necessity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to append" is a versatile and formal infinitive verb phrase that is essential for precise communication in academic, scientific and professional writing. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its primary strength lies in its ability to specify that an addition is occurring at the end of a sequence. Whether you are dealing with legal amendments in The Guardian or data manipulation in Science, "to append" remains the authoritative choice for clear documentation. It is distinct from simpler alternatives like "to add" due to its technical specificity. Using this phrase correctly ensures that your reader understands exactly where new information is being placed, maintaining the structural integrity of your reports and data sets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to add

Uses a more general and common verb without specifying the position of the addition.

to attach

Focuses on the connection between two objects rather than the sequence.

to supplement

Implies adding something to complete or improve the original item.

to annex

Often used in legal or territorial contexts to imply a formal takeover or addition.

to join

A simpler term focusing on the union of two parts.

to subjoin

A more archaic and highly formal term for adding immediately after.

to suffix

Specifically refers to adding something to the end of a word or data string.

to concatenate

Technical term used in computing for linking things together in a chain.

to tack on

Informal phrasal verb implying a hasty or afterthought addition.

to incorporate

Suggests making the addition a fundamental part of the whole structure.

FAQs

How do I use "to append" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe adding something to a list, such as: "The researcher had "to append" the new findings to the existing report".

What is the difference between "to append" and "to add"?

While both mean increasing a set, "to append" specifically implies adding to the end, whereas "to add" is neutral regarding location.

Is "to append" formal?

Yes, it is considered formal. In casual settings, you might say "to tag on" or "to put at the end".

Can "to append" be used for digital files?

Absolutely. It is the standard term in computing for writing more data to the end of an existing file without overwriting it, similar to how one might "to attach a file" to an email.