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to add to

to add to

822 1.8
Make something larger in number, amount or degree
  • phrasal verb
  • /æd tu/
translation icon : añadir a
  • If you add more sugar to the recipe, the cookies will be sweeter.
  • add to our understanding
  • add to the list
  • add to the literature

Can you really add anything substantive to this compilation?

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Examples

  • This has me interested so we will add this to the try list.

  • Add it to your collection.

  • So these two pieces are added to that core content.

  • And so therefore, what do we add to the goal tree?

  • And if you could add a little note to each one.

  • But you can add salt to it, which I always do.

  • It's, it's a good skill to add to your writing talent.

  • Now go and add a porch to that house I asked for.

  • The results of our research add to our understanding of what the large baby-boom population may demand.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Setting goals before a repetition begins will add motivation and purpose to the exercise.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

to increase
vsto add to
1.0

To make something larger or more in number

also covers making things stronger or more intense as well as larger
to grow
vsto add to
1.0

Become larger or more physically mature

can apply to quick or deliberate increases, not only natural growth
to raise
vsto add to
2.9

To make an amount, level, or value higher

includes raising but also increasing intensity or degree beyond level
to rise
vsto add to
904 1.0

To become greater in amount or strength

emphasizes both amount and intensity but also immediate increases
to expand
vsto add to
805 2.5

To grow larger in size, amount, or importance

is similar but also stresses increasing degree or intensity
to gain
vsto add to
510 1.1

To get more of something over time, like weight or money

also includes actively making something stronger or more intense directly
to enhance
vsto add to
424 4.0

Make something better or more attractive

focuses more on amount or degree rather than quality improvement
to escalate
vsto add to
220 5.5

To become larger, more serious, or more intense

can be used for ordinary increases without implying growing seriousness
to build up
vsto add to
207 3.0

Increase slowly over time

also covers single or immediate increases, not only gradual buildup
to intensify
vsto add to
110 4.0

Make something stronger or more intense

also applies to raising plain amounts or counts, not only intensity
to widen
vsto add to
85 2.5

To make something have more space from one side to the other so it fits or moves more easily

covers general increases not only widening in a physical sense
to heighten
vsto add to
76 4.1

To make a feeling, effect or situation stronger

is wider and includes increasing numbers or physical size as well
to step up
vsto add to
74 3.4

Make something greater in amount, speed or strength

is not limited to deliberate steps and covers simple increases too
to enlarge
vsto add to
70 3.0

To make something bigger in size or amount

adds the idea of strengthening or intensifying as well as enlarging
to ramp
vsto add to
57 4.5

To increase something gradually in stages

also covers sudden or one-off increases, not only staged rises
to augment
vsto add to
52 5.3

To make something bigger by adding more to it

is broader, covering both simple size increase and added intensity
to ramp up
vsto add to
47 4.1

To increase something, especially its amount or speed

is more general and applies across many everyday situations
to amplify
vsto add to
44 4.1

To make something larger, stronger, or more important

is broader and includes simple numeric increases not just power
to beef up
vsto add to
  • Informal
34 4.5

To make something stronger or more effective

can mean simple numeric increase as well as strengthening or enlarging
to bump up
vsto add to
23 3.4

To raise prices or amounts by a lot

can be more general, including smaller or less obvious increases
to scale up
vsto add to
9 3.9

Increase the size or amount of something so it still works well

is broader and does not require keeping proportions or effectiveness
to redouble
vsto add to
  • Formal
9 6.5

To increase something a lot, often efforts or strength

is not limited to repeated increase and can be first-time additions
to up
vsto add to
9 1.3

Make an amount or level higher

is the general term used in many situations, not only informal ones
to deepen
vsto add to
8 2.7

Make something have a greater distance from top to bottom

is broader, including simple increases in number or surface size

Antonyms

1.6

To make something smaller in amount, size, or number

201 3.7

To become less in size, importance, or value

56 1.6

To take one number away from another

How Much

to skyrocket
52 4.1
to raise
2.9
to boost
265 2.5
to add to
822 1.8
to tack on
19 4.1

Surface Forms

add to infinitive
added to past
added to past participle
adding to present participle
adds to third person singular

Morphology

add + to

The meaning 'to make something increase or intensify' is directly derivable from combining 'add' (to insert or increase) with the particle/preposition 'to' that marks the target or direction of the addition. This is a straightforward, compositional verb + preposition pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Add to comes from the simple picture of putting one thing on top of another: to add more pieces to a pile makes the pile bigger. So, add to now means 'to increase' or 'to make something stronger'.