add on — include something extra
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to include something extra, especially as an addition to what is already there.
Say it like a native
Textbook They will append an additional charge for delivery.
Native They add a bit on for delivery.
'Add on' is the everyday verb for tacking on an extra; 'append an additional charge' is formal.
Pattern: add on [noun] (to [noun])
In use
- They decided to add on a dessert to their meal.daily life
- If I could change something about my phone, I would add on a better camera because I love taking photos.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ They added on it to the price.
✓ They added it on to the price.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'add it on'.
Common collocations
add on + extra— a charge, VAT, extras, a fee
Don't confuse it
'Add on' means to include something extra, while 'add up' means to calculate a total.