Cool MateDoes add vs Supplement
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Does add
Top 1,000 (very common)
Supplement
Beyond 10,000 (less common)C1noun
Most common: Does add
| Does add | Supplement | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //æd//🇺🇸 //æd// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsʌplɪmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsʌplɪmənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | To put something together with something else. | Something added to help or improve something else. |
| Example | Please add the sugar to your coffee. | The textbook serves as a supplement to the main course material. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | add value, add up, add to, add fuel to, add an example | useful, valuable, colour/color, provide (somebody/something with), add, take, supplement to, useful, valuable, colour/color, provide (somebody/something with), add, take, supplement to, useful, valuable, colour/color, provide (somebody/something with), add, take, supplement to, additional, extra, $100, add, charge, carry, be payable, at a supplement, supplement for, supplement on |
| Antonyms | - | reduction, diminution, lessening |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'ad' meaning advertisement., Using 'adds' with plural subjects incorrectly., Not using 'to' after 'add' when specifying what is added. | Confused with 'complement', which means something that completes another., Using it as a verb when referring to physical items instead of additional support. |
| Usage notes | Use 'add' in neutral contexts, such as conversations, writing, or presentations. Avoid in overly formal contexts without qualifiers. | Used in contexts related to health, nutrition, and finance. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing specific dietary needs or financial advice. |
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Frequently asked questions: Does add vs Supplement
What's the difference between Does add and Supplement?
Does add: To put something together with something else. Supplement: Something added to help or improve something else.
Which is more common: Does add and Supplement?
Does add is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Does add: Please add the sugar to your coffee. Supplement: The textbook serves as a supplement to the main course material.
Can I use Does add and Supplement interchangeably?
Not always. Does add and Supplement are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.