JLPT N2・N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜に加えて” and “~上に”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between”〜に加くわえて” and “〜上うえに“
2. Aに加くわえてB
3. A上うえにB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: What is the difference between “〜に加くわえて” and “〜上うえに“?

A: “〜に加くわえて” and “〜上うえに” are both grammatical forms used to provide “additional information,” but there are differences in their usage and nuances.
We will explain their similarities and differences in detail.

Aに加くわえてB (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
Not only A but also B

[Rule]　　
[N] Noun＋に加くわえて

[Point]
・Used when a similar thing (B) happens in addition to something that has already happened (A)
・Used when additional information (B) is added to existing information (A)

[Examples]
山田やまださんからお礼れいの手紙てがみに加くわえておかしもいただいた。
In addition to a thank-you letter from Mr. Yamada, I also received some sweets.

ここでは30分ぷん無料むりょうのコースに加くわえて10％の割引わりびき券けんをもらえます。
Here, you can get a 30-minute free course and a 10% discount coupon.

大雨おおあめに加くわえて風かぜも強つよくなってきました。
In addition to the heavy rain, the wind has also become stronger.

この仕事しごとに加くわえて資料しりょう作成さくせいもお願ねがいできますか。
In addition to this job, could I also ask you to prepare the documents?

A上うえにB (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
A, and also B

[Rules]
[V] Verb plain form＋上うえに
[A] い adjective＋上うえに
[Na] なadjective ＋な／である＋上うえに
[N] Noun ＋の＋上うえに

[Point]
Used when adding information (B) to a situation or event (A) that has already occurred, emphasizing the addition of another similar situation or event.

[Examples]
マリアさんはよく働はたらく上うえに営業えいぎょうの成績せいせきもいいです。
Maria works hard, and on top of that, her sales performance is excellent.

社長しゃちょうの話はなしは長ながい上うえにつまらないです。
The president’s talks are long, and on top of that, they are boring.

この仕事しごとは大変たいへんな上うえに給料きゅうりょうも安やすいです。
This job is tough, and on top of that, the pay is low.

熱ねつがある上うえにせきも出でてきたので、仕事しごとを休やすみました。
I had a fever, and on top of that, I developed a cough, so I took a day off from work.

Let’s Compare

[Aに加くわえてB]

This is used when something similar (B) happens in addition to something that has already occurred (A).

[Example]
雨あめに加くわえて風かぜも吹ふいています。

It is raining and also windy.　　　
⇒ It indicates that it was already raining, and then the wind started blowing as well.

Additionally, this is used not only to add a second piece of information (B) to the first one (A). In such cases, it cannot be replaced with “〜上うえに”.

[Examples]
今月こんげつは家賃やちんに加くわえてアパートの更新こうしん料りょうも払はらわなければいけません。
This month, in addition to the rent, I also have to pay the apartment renewal fee.

運転うんてん免許めんきょ証しょうに加くわえてパスポートも持もってきてください。
Please bring your passport along with your driver’s license.

今日きょうは文法ぶんぽうの授業じゅぎょうに加くわえて発音はつおんの授業じゅぎょうもあります。
Today, in addition to the grammar lesson, there is also a pronunciation lesson.

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[A上うえにB ]

When expressing an evaluation, “〜上うえに” is used.
In this context, not only one but a second reason is added to support the evaluation. The content of the evaluation must be either “positive + positive” or “negative + negative”.

[Examples]
マリアさんはよく働はたらく上うえに営業えいぎょうの成績せいせきもいいです。（＋　＋）
Maria works hard, and on top of that, her sales performance is excellent.

このレストランは高たかい上うえにまずいです。（―　―）
This restaurant is expensive and, on top of that, the food is bad.

Additionally, “〜上うえに” is used not only for evaluations but also to express the speaker’s feelings.

[Example]
この仕事しごとは大変たいへんな上うえに給料きゅうりょうも安やすいし、もうやめようと思おもっています。
This job is not only tough but also poorly paid, so I’m thinking of quitting.

Furthermore, unlike “〜に加くわえて,” “〜上うえに” cannot be used at the end of a sentence that includes commands, prohibitions, requests, or invitations directed at the listener.

[Examples]
◯ この仕事しごとに加くわえて資料しりょう作成さくせいもお願ねがいできますか。
× この仕事しごとの上うえに資料しりょう作成さくせいもお願ねがいできますか。
In addition to this job, could I also ask you to prepare the documents?

Summary

[Aに加くわえてB]

• It is used when something similar (B) happens in addition to something that has already occurred (A).
• It is also used to add a second piece of information in addition to the first one.
• You can use “commands, prohibitions, requests, and invitations” at the end of the sentence.

[A上うえにB ]

• It expresses an evaluation or the speaker’s feelings, and the content must be either positive or negative.
• It is used when there is an additional situation or event (B) in addition to an existing situation or event (A).
• Commands, prohibitions, requests, and invitations cannot be used at the end of the sentence.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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