build up into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "build up into" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process of development or transformation where something gradually becomes or evolves into something else. Example: "Over the years, her small hobby gradually built up into a successful business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I was beginning to warm to him, but just as Lao's neuroses build up into something really interesting Okri capriciously abandons this belligerent narratorial voice halfway through the Channel tunnel.

The Guardian

His magpie approach to genre and the unkempt exuberance of the prose build up into something so distinctive that it seems rather tactless to raise the family connection at all.

The Guardian - Books

"They still build up into enormous numbers, trashing inland waterways, indigenous waterholes, eating native plants you name it".

Vice

For the neat freak, anger can build up into resentment that things aren't improving fast enough and it's important to learn to stifle the criticism and to control the frustration realizing that the time needed is probably longer than the neat freak would like.

WikiHow

Relatives are asked weekly questions about their lives, which build up into an archive.

The Guardian - Tech

It is a place where small social interactions build up into strong connections.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In the 1970s, people called high-rise buildings slums built up into the sky, and now film-maker Ben Wheatley has built the 1970s out into the future.

The Guardian - Film

"It was built up into this thing," he said.

The New York Times

The outline is then built up into the treatment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The music built up into sliding, harmony-blurring figures, revving up your capacity to feel again.

The New York Times

Minor incidents, like a tiff over a rental car, are built up into showdowns.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "build up into" to describe how incremental actions or small components contribute to a larger, more significant outcome. For instance, "Small acts of kindness can build up into a strong community."

Common error

Avoid using "build up into" interchangeably with phrases like "result in" if the intention is to describe a direct consequence rather than a gradual development. For example, "Lack of maintenance resulted in a system failure" is more appropriate than "Lack of maintenance built up into a system failure" if the failure was immediate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "build up into" is a phrasal verb, acting as a dynamic verb that describes a process of gradual development or transformation. As Ludwig indicates, it highlights how smaller components or actions contribute to a larger, more significant outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science & Research

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "build up into" describes a process of gradual development or transformation, where smaller components or actions contribute to a larger, more significant outcome. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both informal and formal communication. The phrase is commonly used in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, highlighting its versatility. Understanding the nuances of "build up into" can enhance clarity and precision in writing, enabling effective communication of incremental processes. Remember to use it to show how small actions or items contribute to something larger over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop into

Focuses on the transformation aspect, emphasizing the end result of a process.

evolve into

Implies a more natural or organic progression over time.

grow into

Suggests a gradual increase in size, complexity, or significance.

accumulate into

Highlights the aspect of gathering or collecting to form something larger.

culminate in

Emphasizes the final, decisive point that something has reached through a process.

lead to

Suggests a sequence of events where one thing directly causes another.

result in

Similar to lead to, but focuses more on the outcome or consequence.

transform into

Indicates a significant change in form or appearance.

morph into

Similar to transform into, but often implies a more gradual or subtle change.

amalgamate into

Describes the process of combining or uniting different elements into a single entity.

FAQs

How can I use "build up into" in a sentence?

You can use "build up into" to describe a gradual process where something increases or develops over time, eventually transforming into something significant. For example, "The tension slowly "built up into" a dramatic confrontation".

What are some alternatives to "build up into"?

Alternatives to "build up into" include "develop into", "evolve into", or "grow into", depending on the context. Each alternative slightly alters the nuance of the sentence.

Is it correct to say "build in" instead of "build up into"?

"Build in" and "build up into" have different meanings. "Build in" means to incorporate something as a feature, while "build up into" describes a gradual development or accumulation. They are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "build up into" and "culminate in"?

"Build up into" describes a process of gradual accumulation or development, whereas "culminate in" emphasizes the final, decisive result. "The effort "built up into" a successful project that "culminated in" an award" demonstrates both phrases in a sequence.