are built upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are built upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to suggest that something is based on ideas or principles from something else, or that something is structured on something else. For example, "The company's success is built upon a strong team of employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Knowledge networks are built upon lateral and bilateral institutional interactions.

Research Policy

Many software development projects are built upon an underlying framework.

Application Administrators Handbook Installing, Updating and Troubleshooting Software

Music communities all over the country are built upon communication and mobility.

The Guardian

Walls, actual walls, as well as social and political ones are built upon.

The Guardian - Books

As he sees it, British lives are built upon the work of the ONS.

The Guardian

Business relationships, like personal ones, are built upon trust and mutual respect.

The New York Times

They have innovative trends, but they are built upon a solid base.

The Guardian

And most of our best practices in marketing are built upon an ownership model.

Harvard Business Review

Some traditions are easier than others, and some are built upon a foundation of generations.

The Washington Post

For eons, dining has evolved as ideas are built upon ideas.

The Washington Post

Figures for Christians are built upon detailed head counts by churches, often to the last digit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are built upon" when you want to emphasize that something is developed or established on a specific foundation or set of principles. This construction conveys a sense of deliberate construction and reliance on underlying elements.

Common error

While "are built upon" is grammatically correct, avoid using it in situations where simpler alternatives like "are based on" or "rely on" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complicated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are built upon" functions as a passive verb construction. According to Ludwig, it is used to indicate that something is constructed or developed based on a particular foundation, principles, or ideas. This construction is common in academic, news, and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are built upon" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express that something is developed or based on a specific foundation or principles. Ludwig's analysis confirms its wide usage across various contexts, including science, news, and business. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously, opting for simpler alternatives when appropriate to maintain clarity and avoid sounding overly formal. It can be replaced with phrases like ""are based on"" or ""are founded on"" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are based on

Emphasizes a foundational relationship, suggesting a direct derivation or reliance.

are founded on

Highlights the establishment of something on a particular principle or basis.

are predicated on

Suggests a logical dependence or assumption as a necessary condition.

are constructed on

Focuses on the process of creation or assembly using a specific base or framework.

are reliant on

Indicates a dependence or need for something else to function or exist.

are dependent on

Similar to 'reliant on', but may imply a stronger or more crucial need.

stem from

Indicates origination or derivation from a particular source or cause.

originate from

Emphasizes the point of origin or beginning.

derive from

Suggests a tracing back to a source or root.

rest on

Implies a reliance for support or validity.

FAQs

What does "are built upon" mean?

The phrase "are built upon" signifies that something is constructed or developed using a particular foundation, principles, or ideas. It emphasizes a deliberate and layered approach, where each subsequent element relies on what came before. Similar phrases can be "are based on" or "are founded on".

How can I use "are built upon" in a sentence?

Use "are built upon" to show that something's structure, success, or validity depends on specific underlying factors or elements. For example, "The company's success is built upon strong customer relationships." You can use alternatives like "are based on" or "rest on", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What are some alternatives to "are built upon"?

Some alternatives to "are built upon" include "are based on", "are founded on", "are predicated on", "rest on", and "derive from". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to place on the foundational aspect.

Is there a difference between "are based on" and "are built upon"?

While both phrases indicate a foundational relationship, "are built upon" suggests a more deliberate and layered construction process than "are based on". "Are based on" is a more general term. Consider "The argument is based on evidence" versus "The theory is built upon years of research". You can replace "are built upon" with alternatives like "are constructed on".