build the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "build the idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the development or elaboration of a concept or thought in a creative or collaborative context. Example: "During the brainstorming session, we worked together to build the idea of a community garden that would benefit local residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I had to build the idea quite carefully.

The Guardian

That's what we wanted to build – the idea that, 'what if the best of the best that we have to offer is a force that you look at from the outside.'" I don't know.

The Guardian - Tech

I managed to write it up as a 15-page story (later published in Granta as "The Summer after the War"), but even as I did so, I knew I'd need a much larger, more complex architecture to build the idea into the novel I could already see, tantalisingly, in my imagination.

The Guardian - Books

Across the two cases, 167 comments (17%) received usefulness scores above 5, indicating that they provided new insights and/or concerned how to build the idea further.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

For it to receive an Inspiration score above 5, it should be judged to build the idea further, not just motivate the removal of something that does not work.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

This helps build the idea that we are side characters in their story, by helping them to feel like they're making an impact on the lives of others.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Then throw the list in the bin: the point is to build the idea-muscle, not to invest emotionally in any single notion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One of those is to build the idea-based political movement known as New Democrat in this country and "the third way" around the world -- the movement to modernize progressivism for the information age.

The New York Times

The interface is still a bit rough, but given that they built the idea in a hackathon, that's forgivable.  .

TechCrunch

Oben built the idea of partnerships into its name — German for "up" or "above" -- to signal its intention to layer on top of other software.

Los Angeles Times

"When shopping malls were built, the idea was for folks to come and graze from anchor to anchor," said Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wells Fargo.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "build the idea", consider the specific aspect you want to highlight: whether it's the initial creation, the detailed development, or the strengthening of the concept. Choose synonyms accordingly to convey the intended nuance more effectively.

Common error

While "build the idea" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. In formal or academic contexts, vary your vocabulary by using more precise alternatives like "develop the concept" or "formulate the concept" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build the idea" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of constructing, developing, or elaborating on a concept. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "build the idea" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing the development of a concept. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and finds use across various domains, including News & Media and Science. While "build the idea" is generally appropriate, writers should be mindful of the context and consider more formal synonyms like "develop the concept" or "formulate the concept" for highly professional or academic writing to achieve a more sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop the concept

Focuses on the gradual unfolding and detailing of an idea.

flesh out the idea

Emphasizes adding substance and detail to an existing idea.

expand on the concept

Suggests elaborating and providing further explanation.

elaborate on the idea

Similar to 'expand', but with a focus on detailed explanation.

formulate the concept

Highlights the initial creation and structuring of an idea.

cultivate the idea

Implies nurturing and fostering the growth of an idea over time.

nurture the concept

Similar to 'cultivate', suggesting careful attention and development.

solidify the idea

Focuses on making an idea more concrete and well-established.

reinforce the concept

Emphasizes strengthening and validating the idea.

refine the concept

Suggests improving and perfecting the idea through careful adjustments.

FAQs

How can I use "build the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "build the idea" to describe the process of developing a concept. For example, "The team collaborated to "build the idea" for a new marketing campaign."

What can I say instead of "build the idea"?

You can use alternatives like "develop the concept", "flesh out the idea", or "elaborate on the idea" depending on the context.

Is "build the idea" formal or informal?

"Build the idea" is suitable for both informal and formal contexts, but more precise alternatives like "formulate the concept" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

Which is correct, "build the idea" or "develop the idea"?

Both ""build the idea"" and "develop the idea" are correct, but they carry slightly different nuances. "Build" suggests constructing something from scratch, while "develop" suggests expanding on something already present.