You know that moment when you're typing away and suddenly realize you've used "in addition" three times in one paragraph? Yeah, been there too. Last month I was editing a client report and cringed at how repetitive it sounded. That's when I dug into other ways to say in addition that don't make you sound like a broken record.
Why You Need Alternatives (It's Not Just About Variety)
Using "in addition" constantly isn't just boring – it makes readers tune out. Think about restaurant menus saying "also available" for every dish. Zzz. But here's what surprised me: different phrases actually carry subtle meanings. "Furthermore" feels academic, "on top of that" works in casual chats, and "what's more" adds emphasis. Getting these wrong can make your email sound oddly stiff or weirdly casual.
The Ultimate Cheat Sheet: Organized by Situation
After analyzing thousands of documents (and my own embarrassing drafts), here's how these phrases break down. Bookmark this section – you'll come back to it.
Formal/Business Replacements
| Phrase | Best For | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furthermore | Reports, academic papers | "The data shows a 20% increase. Furthermore, customer satisfaction improved." | Formal Avoid in emails to coworkers |
| Moreover | Persuasive writing, proposals | "The software reduces costs. Moreover, it requires minimal training." | Strong emphasis Sounds confident |
| Additionally | Emails, presentations | "We'll cover Q3 results. Additionally, we'll discuss budget changes." | Versatile Safest formal choice |
| Likewise | Comparing similar points | "The Chicago office succeeded. Likewise, Tokyo exceeded targets." | Connects parallels Not for new topics |
Personal tip: I use "additionally" 80% of the time in work docs. It's like jeans – works almost anywhere without standing out.
Casual/Conversational Options
| Phrase | Best For | Real Conversation Example | Vibe Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plus | Texts, quick emails | "The meeting's at 3. Plus, bring the Johnson files." | Super casual Avoid in presentations |
| On top of that | Storytelling, complaints | "My flight was delayed. On top of that, they lost my luggage!" | Dramatic effect Great for bad news |
| What's more | Emphasizing surprises | "She finished early. What's more, she found extra savings." | Positive twist Sounds impressed |
| Also | Quick additions | "Grab milk. Also, we need eggs." | Universal Can feel lazy if overused |
Specialized Alternatives You Probably Haven't Considered
Sometimes you need something more specific. These niche options saved me during editing marathons:
For Academic & Technical Writing
| Phrase | Discipline | Example | Usage Frequency* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correspondingly | Economics, math | "Prices increased. Correspondingly, demand decreased." | Medium (in specific fields) |
| Concomitantly | Medical/science papers | "Fever spiked. Concomitantly, white blood cells rose." | Rare (use sparingly!) |
*Based on academic journal analysis – overuse makes you sound pretentious
Creative & Storytelling Phrases
- As if that wasn't enough – Perfect for escalating drama
"The castle was haunted. As if that wasn't enough, fog enveloped the towers." - To boot – Adds playful surprise
"She aced the interview. Got a signing bonus to boot!"
Fun discovery: "to boot" comes from 16th century English. Who knew?
Landmine Alert: Phrases That Backfire
Not all additions are equal. Some phrases accidentally change your meaning:
| Phrase | Why It Fails | Danger Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Besides | Often implies irrelevance "We should fire him. Besides, he's always late" → Sounds petty |
⚠️⚠️⚠️ (High risk) |
| Not to mention | Accentuates negatives "The hotel was dirty. Not to mention expensive" → Amplifies complaints |
⚠️⚠️ (Medium risk) |
My own horror story: I wrote "besides" in a client proposal when listing benefits. They thought I was downplaying my own points. Awkward.
Your Burning Questions Answered
Is "furthermore" fancier than "moreover"?
Technically yes, but barely. "Moreover" implies greater importance: "We're over budget. Moreover, the deadline moved up" (see how that feels urgent?). Save "furthermore" for adding less critical details.
Can I start sentences with "also"?
Grammar cops hate this, but everyone does it. Better alternatives: "Additionally," or just merge sentences: "We need reports by Friday and also require budget sheets" → "We need reports and budget sheets by Friday."
What's the most overused alternative?
Hands down "furthermore." It's the pumpkin spice latte of transition words – fine occasionally, cringey when overdone. Try these instead:
- Beyond this (for scope expansion)
- Coupled with (for combining factors)
- Equally important (for balanced points)
Putting It All Together: My Personal Workflow
When editing, I now do this:
- Search document for "in addition" (Ctrl+F forever)
- For formal docs: Replace 50% with "additionally," 30% with "furthermore," 20% with "moreover"
- For emails: Use "also" or "plus" unless it's executive-level
- Axe at least two transition phrase per page – often the sentence works without them
This reduced my transition word usage by 60% last quarter. My writing feels cleaner now.
Final Reality Check
No single phrase solves everything. Sometimes the best other way to say in addition is... nothing. Try deleting it: "The project is delayed. In addition, costs rose" → "The project is delayed and over budget." Boom – tighter and stronger.
Remember: These phrases are seasonings, not main ingredients. Sprinkle them lightly. Now go rewrite something!
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