How do you know when to use しかも or それに or その上 or 更に?

Use しかも when the added fact is surprising or noteworthy, like good and cheap, しかも filling. Use それに to add one more neutral item or reason to a list, such as coffee, toast, それに egg. Use その上 to pile on an emphatic bonus point, like cheap rent, その上 parking. Use 更に when something increases or intensifies further, as in 更に薄くなった.

JLPT Grammar Comparison

しかも vs それに vs その上 vs さらに

All comparisons

How to tell them apart

しかも and その上 add a surprising or emphatic extra fact, so they fit when the new information feels like a bonus or a twist. それに simply tacks on another reason or item in a neutral list. 更に is closer to “even more” — it intensifies a degree or pushes something further, like 更に薄くなった, rather than just stacking facts. Use しかも or その上 for a punchy “and what's more,” それに for a plain “and also,” and 更に for “even further.”

しかも Use しかも when the added fact is surprising or noteworthy, like good and cheap, しかも filling.
それに Use それに to add one more neutral item or reason to a list, such as coffee, toast, それに egg.
その上 Use その上 to pile on an emphatic bonus point, like cheap rent, その上 parking.
更に Use 更に when something increases or intensifies further, as in 更に薄くなった.

Grammar point	Meaning	JLPT level
しかも shikamo	On top of that; what's more; additionally	N2
それに soreni	Furthermore; on top of that	N4
その上 sono	In addition to that; furthermore; what's more	N3
更に ni	On top of that; to a greater degree; increasingly; additionally	N3

しかも shikamo

On top of that; what's more; additionally

しかも is a conjunctive adverb that adds an extra point on top of what was just said, often something that strengthens or intensifies it. It stands at the start of a following clause rather than attaching to a word, and it works in both spoken and written Japanese.

あなたは彼女かのじょを助たすけなければならない。しかもすぐにだ。

You must help her, and soon!
しかもメモの下側にあるのは汚れじゃなく・・・け、血判！？

Moreover, what's on the bottom of the memo isn't dirt but a ... b-blood seal!?

Full しかも grammar page →

それに soreni

Furthermore; on top of that

それに adds another point to what was just said, meaning

それに、体操服たいそうふくもいまだにブルマーなんだよね。なんでだろ？

And also the gym uniform is still gym shorts, isn't it? I wonder why.
それについて聞いたことがある人は誰もいなかった。

Nobody had ever heard of it.

Full それに grammar page →

その上 sono

In addition to that; furthermore; what's more

その上 is a conjunctive expression meaning "on top of that" or "moreover." It links two sentences or clauses, adding a further point to what was just said, often something that makes the situation even more so. It typically follows a complete clause or sentence and can also appear as なおその上 for emphasis.

私わたしのボーイフレンドは頭あたまがよくてハンサム、その上うえ優やさしい。

My boyfriend is smart, handsome, and friendly too.
暗くなりかけてきた、その上悪い事には、雨が降り出した。

It was getting dark, and, what made matters worse, it began to rain.

Full その上 grammar page →

更に ni

On top of that; to a greater degree; increasingly; additionally

更に is an adverb meaning something increases or is added on top of what came before. It stands before verbs, i-adjectives and na-adjectives, and can also introduce an added remark as in 更に悪いことには. It works in both neutral and slightly formal writing.

富とむ者ものは更さらに富とみ、貧まずしき者ものは更さらに貧まずしくなっていく。

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
彼女は金持ちで、更によいことには、大変美しい。

She is rich, and what is better, very beautiful.

Full 更に grammar page →

しかも and それに and その上 and 更に are JLPT N4–N2 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares all 4 side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.