The phrasal verb "add on to" is primarily used in informal contexts, often relating to construction or extensions to physical structures, as in "They decided to add on to their house to make room for a new nursery." It is frequently employed when discussing the expansion of a building or augmenting something by attaching additional parts. While it can appear in formal writing about architecture or renovation, it is more commonly encountered in casual conversation or DIY contexts. Additionally, the usage can extend metaphorically to refer to increasing a quantity, such as "The costs quickly added on to the initial estimate," implying a cumulative effect. This versatility in use makes "add on to" a practical choice in both literal and metaphorical discussions about enhancing or increasing something by addition.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To extend something by including additional elements or features.
They decided to add on to their house because they wanted more space.
The company is planning to add on to its product line with new offerings.
2. To enhance or improve something by supplementing it with additional parts.
The coach asked the players to add on to their training routine for better results.
She always tries to add on to her presentations by including the latest research.