How to use "in addition"

What Does "in addition" Mean?

• Grammatical function: Indicates addition; it introduces extra information or supporting details.
• Typical sentence position: Primarily initial, but can occasionally appear medially.
• Register: Neutral to formal.

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: Typically followed by a clause (a subject and a verb). It usually comes at the beginning of a sentence or independent clause.
• Punctuation rules: When used at the beginning of a sentence, it's followed by a comma. If it interrupts a clause, it is set off by commas both before and after.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence and can be moved within a clause, though sentence-initial is most common. It cannot be easily negated directly; instead, one would negate the added information itself.
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Placing "in addition" within a simple clause (e.g., "He, in addition, went to the store.") can sound somewhat stilted. Overusing it can also make writing sound repetitive.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from in addition on Ludwig.guru.

"In addition, the G.A.O." — The New York Times

"In addition, they weaken oystershells." — Encyclopedia Britannica

"In addition, hiking opportunities abound." — Independent

"In addition to the I.Q." — The New York Times

"In addition, he is black." — The Economist

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/in+addition

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
furthermore	More formal; emphasizes the added information's importance.
moreover	Similar to "furthermore," but can also introduce a slightly contrasting point.
besides	More informal; suitable for spoken or casual written communication.
also	Simpler and more versatile; can be used in various positions within a sentence.
what's more	Adds emphasis and can be used to introduce a surprising or significant addition.
on top of that	Informal and emphatic; suggests the added information is particularly noteworthy.
in addition to that	Similar meaning, but explicitly references a preceding statement.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect punctuation is a common error, especially missing the comma after "in addition" when it begins a sentence.
• Overuse can make writing seem repetitive and lacking in stylistic variation.
• Learners sometimes confuse "in addition" with similar phrases like "in addition to," using them interchangeably when "in addition to" requires a noun phrase following it.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
in addition	Additive; introduces extra information	Neutral to Formal	Sentence-initial, occasionally medial

FAQs

Where in a sentence can "in addition" be placed?

"In addition" is most commonly placed at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma. While it can appear mid-clause, this is less common and can sound somewhat formal or stilted. Sentence-initial placement is generally the clearest and most effective.

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How does "in addition" differ from a close alternative like "moreover"?

Both "in addition" and "moreover" introduce additional information, but "moreover" often carries a slightly stronger emphasis on the importance or significance of the added point. "In addition" is generally more neutral, simply indicating that something else is being added to the discussion.

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How can I avoid confusing "in addition" with "in addition to"?

The key difference is that "in addition" is followed by a full clause (subject and verb), while "in addition to" is followed by a noun phrase. For example, you can say "In addition, he is a doctor," but you would say "In addition to his medical degree, he has a law degree."