build great things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "build great things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the creation or development of impressive or significant projects, products, or ideas. Example: "Our mission is to inspire innovation and empower our team to build great things that can change the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

You cannot build great things in America today.

The New York Times

It was passion intolerable and insatiable for the people, the ideas and the chance to build great things.

The Economist

He never treated me like I was a kid, always talked to me saying, "One day, you will build great things".

The New York Times

"There is no doubt that Microsoft and Google will build great things, but they will do it for their shareholders".

Forbes

A lot of Brazilians build great things but get comfortable when they have good market share in Brazil.

TechCrunch

We recently went to the "Vets In Tech" hackathon, where we met some amazing folks who are trying to build great things outside of military life.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The world provided us with more than enough… New York has often built great things in bad times, sometimes by accident — the Empire State Building, finished in the Depression, was started in the boom… As the year and the decade draw to a close, The New Yorker's writers and editors are posting their best-of lists on newyorker.com.

The New Yorker

New York has often built great things in bad times, sometimes by accident — the Empire State Building, finished in the Depression, was started in the boom times of the nineteen-twenties — and sometimes by intention, as when John D. Rockefeller, Jr., distracted us from our economic blues by building Rockefeller Center.

The New Yorker

By Paul Goldberger December 8, 2009 New York has often built great things in bad times, sometimes by accident — the Empire State Building, finished in the Depression, was started in the boom times of the nineteen-twenties — and sometimes by intention, as when John D. Rockefeller, Jr., distracted us from our economic blues by building Rockefeller Center.

The New Yorker

He dreamed big dreams of a great county and built great things.

The New York Times

"I really just wanted to work with other people who had built great things," says Zuckerberg. "I had a lot of respect for PayPal.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "build great things" when you want to inspire action and convey a sense of ambition and significance.

Common error

While "build great things" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler language might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build great things" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often serving as an infinitive or part of a larger verb construction. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's used to express an intention, capability, or encouragement towards creating something significant.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "build great things" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that conveys ambition and the creation of significant outcomes. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, media, and professional settings. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in overly informal situations. Alternative phrases like "create remarkable achievements" or "develop outstanding projects" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. When using "build great things", aim to inspire action and convey a sense of significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Create remarkable achievements

This alternative focuses on the outcome and emphasizes accomplishment.

Develop outstanding projects

This phrase emphasizes the development aspect and the quality of the projects.

Construct significant innovations

This alternative highlights the innovative aspect of building something substantial.

Establish lasting legacies

This emphasizes the enduring impact of one's work.

Pioneer transformative solutions

This phrase focuses on groundbreaking solutions and leading the way.

Forge impactful creations

This alternative highlights the forceful and influential nature of the creations.

Generate extraordinary results

This emphasizes the exceptional outcomes of efforts.

Engineer exceptional advancements

This highlights the technical and progressive aspect of building.

Produce substantial developments

This focuses on the significant and tangible nature of the developments.

Foster impressive initiatives

This alternative emphasizes nurturing and promoting impactful initiatives.

FAQs

How can I use "build great things" in a sentence?

You can use "build great things" to describe the creation or development of significant projects or ideas. For example, "Our goal is to inspire our team to "build great things" that will improve lives."

What's a more formal alternative to "build great things"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "create remarkable achievements" or "develop outstanding projects".

Is "build great things" suitable for business communication?

Yes, "build great things" is appropriate for business communication, especially when conveying a vision or motivating a team. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and formality of the communication.

What's the difference between "build great things" and "achieve great things"?

"Build great things" emphasizes the process of creation and development, while "achieve great things" focuses on the final accomplishment. The former is about the journey; the latter is about the destination.