build the groundwork for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "build the groundwork for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the establishment of a foundation or basis for a project, idea, or initiative. Example: "The research conducted in this phase will help us build the groundwork for our future developments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

However his presidency turns out, the victory of Mr Sirisena is also one for democracy, which has turfed out a leader who had used the democratic process to pursue divisive, majoritarian policies, and to build the groundwork for a regime to last in perpetuity.

The Economist

The conclusions from this discussion build the groundwork for showcasing time series for three countries.

Land Use Policy

Frank, bottom-line talks in Vienna will build the groundwork for sealing an agreement at October's Meeting of the Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.

Huffington Post

We build the groundwork for future model development at the organ scale and show that DEM has the potential to be a powerful approach for representing the anisotropic and inhomogeneous nature of the human heart.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Prosecutors built the groundwork for her credibility last week with testimony from a Mafia expert and from F.B.I. agents who had worked with Mr. DeVecchio.

The New York Times

Incredible academic and commercial research in the fields of natural language processing and semantic technology has built the groundwork for where we are today.

TechCrunch

The no-longer-a-startup has already built the groundwork for this with the launch of its Spotify For Artists analytics dashboard app last year that shows a musician's top songs, and the demographics of their fans including their location, gender, age, and what else they listen to.

TechCrunch

We hope that integrating the data with signal processing and systems biology methods will help us build the genetic groundwork for gliomas and other malignancies alike [14].

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Hackers could build these to lay the groundwork for future innovation with public data.

TechCrunch

According to journalist Michael Bronner, who profiled Habré for Foreign Policy in 2014, Habré soon relocated to northern Chad "to build a militia and lay the groundwork for his political future".

Vice

This mapping builds on that study and is the groundwork for selecting a smaller subset of tools for in-depth comparative study.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "build the groundwork for", ensure that the subsequent action or goal is clearly defined to provide context and purpose. For example: "The pilot program will help us "build the groundwork for" a nationwide expansion."

Common error

Avoid using "build the groundwork for" when referring to minor or insignificant preparations. Reserve it for situations where substantial effort is being invested to establish a solid foundation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build the groundwork for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of establishing a foundational basis for a future endeavor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. This means that it sets up the conditions or actions that will enable something else to happen or be successful.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "build the groundwork for" is a valid and useful phrase for expressing the act of establishing a foundation or preparatory steps for a future endeavor. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not extremely common, it is used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. Related phrases such as "lay the foundation for" and "establish a basis for" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent action or goal is clearly defined and that the preparations are significant enough to warrant its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lay the foundation for

Uses "lay" instead of "build", emphasizing the act of setting down a base rather than constructing it.

establish a basis for

Replaces "groundwork" with "basis", focusing on the fundamental principles or reasons supporting something.

create a platform for

Emphasizes the creation of an environment or opportunity for something to develop.

set the stage for

Uses a theatrical metaphor to suggest preparing the circumstances for a particular event or outcome.

prepare the way for

Focuses on clearing obstacles and making it easier for something to happen.

pave the path for

Similar to "prepare the way", but with a stronger implication of creating a clear and easy route.

form the infrastructure for

Highlights the development of fundamental systems or facilities.

construct the framework for

Focuses on creating a structural support or organizational system.

develop the preconditions for

Emphasizes setting up the necessary conditions or requirements for something to occur.

initiate preliminary steps for

Highlights the commencement of initial actions to prepare for a future task.

FAQs

What does "build the groundwork for" mean?

The phrase "build the groundwork for" means to establish a foundation or basis for something that will be developed or achieved in the future. It refers to the preliminary steps and preparations needed to ensure the success of a subsequent endeavor.

How can I use "build the groundwork for" in a sentence?

You can use "build the groundwork for" to describe the initial stages of a project or plan. For example, "The initial research phase will "build the groundwork for" the development of the new technology."

What are some alternatives to "build the groundwork for"?

Some alternatives to "build the groundwork for" include "lay the foundation for", "establish a basis for", or "create a platform for". These phrases all convey the idea of preparing for something in the future.

Is it better to use "build the groundwork for" or "lay the groundwork for"?

Both "build the groundwork for" and "lay the groundwork for" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context of the sentence.