Addition is the math operation used to combine two or more numbers to get a total. In English, we talk about the numbers being combined and the result of combining them. The central idea is that addition increases a total by putting amounts together.

In English, the plus sign + is read as plus, and the equals sign = is read as equals. You will also see addition written in words, especially in instructions or word problems. Being able to read both symbol form and word form helps you understand math in everyday English.

Rule	Example
Read + as plus	3 + 2 equals 5
Read = as equals	10 + 4 = 14
Use plus between numbers in writing	6 plus 7 is 13
In word problems, addition may be implied	You have 2 apples and get 3 more

English has specific vocabulary for the parts of an addition problem. Knowing these terms helps you follow explanations, textbooks, and teacher instructions. Some terms are common in school, while others are used in daily life.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
add	put numbers together to find a total	Add 4 and 9
addition	the operation of adding	Addition is used to find the total
sum	the result of adding	The sum of 8 and 5 is 13
addend	a number being added	In 6 + 1, both numbers are addends
total	the final amount after adding	The total is 27
increase	to make a number bigger by adding	Increase 20 by 3

Addition equations can be read in several natural English patterns. You can say the numbers first, or you can name the operation and then the numbers. These different readings mean the same thing, but some are more common in school and some in conversation.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
A plus B equals C	standard way to read an equation	9 plus 1 equals 10
A plus B is C	shorter spoken form of equals	12 plus 8 is 20
The sum of A and B is C	formal phrasing using sum	The sum of 3 and 4 is 7
Add A and B	instruction form	Add 15 and 6
A added to B	phrasing that means A + B	5 added to 9 is 14

In English word problems, addition is often signaled by specific verbs and phrases. These cues usually mean you are combining amounts or finding a total. Understanding the language helps you choose addition even when the plus sign is not shown.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
altogether	in total when combining groups	How many apples are there altogether
in total	the final combined amount	In total, you have 12
combined	put together as one amount	Combined, they weigh 9 kilograms
plus	add one amount to another	The cost is 30 plus tax
more	an additional amount	You get 2 more points
together	as one group or total	Count them together

Add is usually used as a verb for an action or instruction, while plus is often used as an operator between numbers. Both relate to addition, but they appear in different sentence patterns. Choosing the right one makes your math English sound natural.

Rule	Example
Use add for instructions or actions	Add 3 to 10
Use plus between numbers in an expression	10 plus 3 is 13
Use add up to talk about finding a total	These numbers add up to 50
Use plus for extra features in everyday English	The job includes health insurance plus a bonus

Addition is often described using change language like increase, raise, and go up. This language focuses on how a value changes rather than how two numbers are written. It is common in money, prices, scores, and statistics.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
increase by	add a specific amount	Increase the price by 5 dollars
increase to	reach a new total after adding	The price increased to 50 dollars
go up by	informal way to say increase by	The score went up by 2
rise by	formal way to say increase by	Sales rose by 10 percent
add on	include an extra amount	Add on a service fee

In English, addition is often paired with estimation when you do not need an exact sum. People use rounding language and approximation phrases to talk about totals quickly. This is common in shopping, time planning, and rough calculations.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
≈ about	≈ not exact, close to the real total	≈ It is about 100 in total
≈ around	≈ approximately	≈ Around 30 people came
≈ roughly	≈ approximate, often more formal	≈ Roughly 250 dollars altogether
round up	make a number higher to estimate	Round up to 20
round down	make a number lower to estimate	Round down to 50

Addition can appear in different written formats in English materials, including horizontal and vertical layouts. You may also see numbers written as words in early learning or in checks and documents. Recognizing the same operation across formats improves reading confidence.

Rule	Example
Horizontal form is common in text	14 + 6 = 20
Vertical form is common in worksheets	14
Numbers may be written as words	Four plus six equals ten
Money and totals often use currency symbols	5 dollars + 2 dollars = 7 dollars

This module taught the essential English vocabulary and phrasing for addition: the meaning, symbols, key terms, common ways to read equations, and typical word-problem cues. You can now recognize addition language in school math and everyday contexts like prices, totals, and increases.