Add On

I Swear English › Phrasal Verbs › Add On

What does ‘Add On’ mean?

Verb forms: add on · adds on · added on · adding on

Where does the object go?

With an ordinary noun, both positions work: add on the delivery charge and add the delivery charge on. With a pronoun such as it or them, put it between the two parts: add it on.

The delivery charge is missing from the bill. Could you add it on?

You can also name the thing that receives the addition: They added another night on to our booking. In American English, add on to a house can mean build an extension.

Add on or add-on?

Write the verb as two words: We can add on breakfast. Use add-on for an extra item or feature: Breakfast is an optional add-on. The plural is add-ons. It can also come before a noun: an add-on service.

A browser extension is one kind of add-on. The noun is not limited to software: equipment, services and charges can be add-ons too.

Add on, add in, add to and add up

• Add on: include an extra. They added on two more lessons.
• Add in: include something in a mixture or calculation. Add in the chopped herbs.
• Add to: increase or contribute to something. The delay added to our problems.
• Add up: calculate a total. Add up the three prices. See the Add Up lesson for its other meaning.

These expressions sometimes overlap. Choose the one that describes the action, rather than treating them as interchangeable synonyms.