build upon a foundation

USAGE SUMMARY

"build upon a foundation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is supported by a strong basis of knowledge, such as a business which is built upon a solid foundation of customer service. For example: "The success of the company was due to building upon a foundation of strong relationships with their customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The course is an advanced, applied econometrics course designed to build upon a foundation in econometrics from either Econ 132 or Econ 136.

Yale University

And should al-Maliki suddenly try to double-cross the Kurds, the US could shift its military support to that long-stateless people and build upon a foundation first laid during the enforced "no fly zone" period.

The Guardian - Opinion

Asian Americans can be pivotal in the political movement and we have the opportunity to turn these statistics around, to break down these barriers and build upon a foundation of APIA activism for future generations.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The buildings in San Francisco are built upon a foundation of solid rubber blocks.

Huffington Post

International adoption is built upon a foundation of lies and cultural misunderstandings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some traditions are easier than others, and some are built upon a foundation of generations.

The Washington Post

Washington was built upon a foundation of hyperbole, a mud bank like the one Jefferson sketched into his map.

The New Yorker

The governor's public image, his power as a politician, was built upon a foundation of moral rectitude; this felt like betrayal.

The New York Times

It then became evident that monarchies could survive only if they were built upon a foundation of broad, nationalist-popular support, benefiting from a majority coalition of social forces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Mr. Hardin, the Andersen defense lawyer, portrayed the government's case as being a "rush to judgment" built upon a foundation of documents whose meaning was twisted to fit a preconceived view.

The New York Times

The primary concern of Time's outside directors was the preservation of the "Time Culture". They believed that Time had become recognized in this country as an institution built upon a foundation of journalistic integrity.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "build upon a foundation", ensure the foundation is clearly defined to provide context and strength to your statement. For instance, specify the knowledge, skills, or principles that serve as the base.

Common error

Avoid claiming something is "built upon a foundation" when the supporting elements are weak or ill-defined. This can undermine your argument and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build upon a foundation" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of developing or expanding something from an existing base. As per Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "build upon a foundation" is used to describe developing something based on an existing base. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. While its frequency is rare, it finds use across academic, news, and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure the strength and clarity of the referenced foundation to effectively convey the intended meaning. Related phrases include "extend a base" and "develop from a basis". Overall, "build upon a foundation" is a reliable phrase for expressing progressive development rooted in a solid base.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop from a basis

This alternative emphasizes the process of growth and evolution originating from a starting point.

expand on a groundwork

This alternative highlights enlarging something from a prepared initial stage.

strengthen a base

This alternative refers to reinforcing a base.

extend a base

This alternative suggests furthering development, focusing on making something bigger.

enhance from a base

This alternative suggests improving the quality or value of something using a base.

augment a base

This alternative focuses on increasing or adding to a basic structure or support.

amplify a base

This alternative focuses on increasing or magnifying an existing foundation.

refine a core

This alternative suggests to improve something basic or essential.

capitalize on a base

This alternative centers on gaining advantage by a good use of something used as a starting point.

leverage a base

This alternative highlight the action of using a base to achieve something greater.

FAQs

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

Use "build upon a foundation" to indicate that something is developed or expanded from an existing base of knowledge, skills, or principles. For instance, "The new curriculum will "build upon a foundation" of critical thinking skills".

What are some alternatives to "build upon a foundation"?

You can use alternatives like "extend a base", "develop from a basis", or "expand on a groundwork" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "build on a foundation" or "build upon a foundation"?

Both "build on a foundation" and ""build upon a foundation"" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, with "build upon" sometimes sounding more formal.

What does it mean to "build upon a foundation"?

To ""build upon a foundation"" means to use existing knowledge, principles, or infrastructure as a base to develop something further, creating something new or improved.