What Does "in addition to" Mean?
- Grammatical function: It is a multi-word preposition (or complex preposition) that expresses addition. It introduces extra information or items that exist alongside the primary subject or action.
- Typical sentence position: It is highly versatile and can appear in the initial position (as an introductory phrase), medial position (between the subject and verb or after the verb), or final position.
- Register: It is generally neutral to formal. While common in everyday speech, it is a staple of academic, journalistic, and professional writing.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: It must be followed by a nominal (a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase) or a gerund (-ing form). It cannot be followed directly by a finite verb or a 'that' clause.
- Punctuation rules: When used at the beginning of a sentence, it is typically followed by a comma after the introductory phrase. In the middle or end of a sentence, commas are usually unnecessary unless the phrase is parenthetical.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence to provide context for the main clause. It can also be moved to the end of a sentence for emphasis on the added item.
- What sounds unnatural: Using it as a conjunction to join two independent clauses (like 'and') without proper phrasing is incorrect. It functions as a preposition, not a coordinator.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from in addition to on Ludwig.guru.
"In addition to that, I loved him." — nytimes.com
"Grafting has uses in addition to propagation." — britannica.com
"He plants corn in addition to cotton." — newyorker.com
"In addition to plays, Reza wrote novels." — britannica.com
"Never instead of, always in addition to." — nytimes.com
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/in+addition+to
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| besides |
More informal and conversational; often used to add a reinforcing point. |
| as well as |
Neutral register; very common in both speech and writing to link similar items. |
| along with |
Neutral; suggests accompaniment or items appearing together. |
| furthermore |
Highly formal; used to start a new sentence when adding a logical argument. |
| apart from |
Neutral; can mean 'in addition to' or 'except for' depending on the context. |
Common Mistakes
- Wrong Verb Form: Learners often mistakenly follow 'in addition to' with an infinitive verb (e.g., 'in addition to go') instead of a gerund or noun phrase (e.g., 'in addition to going'). Because 'to' is a preposition here, it requires an object.
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Writers sometimes think 'in addition to' creates a compound subject like 'and' does. However, it does not change the number of the subject (e.g., 'The teacher, in addition to the students, is [not are] coming').
- Comma Splices: Using the phrase to join two full sentences without a semicolon or period is a common stylistic error in formal writing.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| in addition to |
Addition |
Neutral / Formal |
Initial, Medial, or Final |
FAQs
Where can I place in addition to in a sentence
You can place in addition to at the beginning of a sentence as an introductory phrase, in the middle to add detail to the subject, or at the end. When it starts a sentence, it must be followed by a comma after the prepositional object. In other positions, it usually functions as a standard prepositional phrase without extra punctuation.
What is the difference between in addition to and besides
While both express addition, in addition to is generally more formal and suited for technical or academic writing. Besides is more common in spoken English and can sometimes carry a nuance of "except for" or "anyway." In most professional contexts, in addition to is the safer, more precise choice.
Should I use a gerund or an infinitive after this phrase
You must always use a gerund (-ing form) or a noun phrase because the word 'to' in this expression is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. Learners often mistakenly follow 'in addition to' with an infinitive verb like 'to eat' instead of the correct 'in addition to eating'. Always treat the phrase as a single unit that requires a nominal object.