build upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"build upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to add something to or improve something that already exists. For example: "We will build upon our existing resources to create a comprehensive business plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We need to build upon it".

The New York Times

Strengthen and build upon it.

University of California, Berkeley

Those are assets you can build upon.

The New York Times - Sports

We have to build upon it".

The Guardian

It is now time to build upon these shared goals.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Someone will learn from that and build upon it".

The New York Times

But in this case, there is little to build upon.

The New York Times

We have it, and it's cool to build upon.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You lay a foundation and you build upon it".

The New York Times

Unlike Bush, he has no national consensus to build upon.

The New York Times

We need to build upon what we know works.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "build upon" to indicate a progressive development, not just a simple addition. It suggests enhancing or expanding something already in place.

Common error

Don't use "build upon" without a clear reference to what is being built upon. Vague or missing foundations weaken the phrase and make your writing less effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of enhancement or expansion. It is used to describe the process of developing something further by using an existing base or foundation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

27%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "build upon" is a versatile verb phrase that signifies enhancement and expansion, often leveraging an existing foundation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and wide applicability. It appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, always specify what you are building upon. While similar phrases like "expand on" or "improve upon" exist, "build upon" emphasizes progressive development. Remember this simple tip and you can add it to your arsenal of expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve upon

Directly suggests making something better than it already is.

expand on

Focuses more on adding details or depth.

develop further

Emphasizes the process of growth and maturation.

advance from

Highlights the movement from one stage to a more progressive one.

elaborate on

Stresses the detailed explanation or expansion of an idea.

extend from

Suggests reaching out or continuing from a specific point.

augment with

Implies supplementing or adding something to improve the original.

enhance using

Focuses on improving the quality or value through the use of something else.

increase through

Highlights growth in number or size by means of a specific method.

refine based on

Emphasizes improving or perfecting something based on new information or criteria.

FAQs

How can I use "build upon" in a sentence?

You can use "build upon" to indicate that you are developing or expanding something based on an existing foundation. For example, "We will "build upon" the success of our first product to launch a new line."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "build upon"?

Alternatives to "build upon" include "expand on", "develop further", or "improve upon", each suggesting a different nuance of growth and development.

Is it correct to say "build on" instead of "build upon"?

While both "build on" and "build upon" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable, "build upon" can sometimes emphasize a more significant degree of development or expansion than "build on".

What's the difference between "build upon" and "improve upon"?

"Build upon" suggests expanding or adding to an existing foundation, while "improve upon" focuses specifically on enhancing or making something better. Both imply positive change but have different emphasis.