build upon the work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "build upon the work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of taking a preexisting concept or idea and using it to further develop or improve on it. For example, "This research project will build upon the work of previous scientists in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

You build upon the work of those before you, thinking about what could be done better; what could be improved.

The Guardian - Opinion

Having said that, a difficult schedule will prevent the Huskies from achieving anything beyond a two- or three-game improvement; I think Kill leads the Huskies to a 4-8 finish in beginning to build upon the work done by Novak.

The New York Times

The study sought to build upon the work of Groth et al undertaken in the previous decade.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Tech enables nonprofits to scale faster, adopt new business models and build upon the work of others.

TechCrunch

By sharing unpublished negative results, researchers can accrue citations for their efforts from other researchers who build upon the work.

TechCrunch

"This will build upon the work we are currently doing to improve the supporter experience, which has begun with the implementation of video screens at the stadium.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

In contrast, I build upon the works of Wächtershäuser in this respect and argue that the syntheses of polymers could proceed at ZnS surfaces where the first RNA-like polymers were protected from photodamage.

Biology Direct

As he sees it, British lives are built upon the work of the ONS.

The Guardian

Brar was one of the few who managed to hold onto their vast estate and opulent lifestyle built upon the work of ordinary people.

Independent

"Most importantly, it solidifies America's leading role in the commercial space sector and builds upon the work of President Reagan," he added.

The Guardian

Indeed, Isis's current media strategy builds upon the work of al-Qaida and the Taliban, organisations that learned the news value of beheading videos and the destruction of treasured artefacts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "build upon the work", ensure that you clearly identify the specific work you are referencing. This provides context and allows your audience to understand the foundation upon which you are building.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree to which you are building upon previous work. Be honest about the extent of your contribution and acknowledge the original work appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build upon the work" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of expanding or developing something from a pre-existing foundation. It highlights the continuation and evolution of ideas or projects, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "build upon the work" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the process of expanding or improving existing ideas, projects, or research. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts. Its usage ranges from neutral to formal, with prevalent applications in scientific, news, and formal business domains. When using the phrase, it's best to specify the original work being referenced and to avoid overstating the extent of the development. Related phrases include "expand on the foundation" and "further develop the existing base". Overall, it's a common and clear way to express iterative progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Refine and build on

Emphasizes the dual action of improving something and using it as a base for further development.

Further develop the existing base

This alternative focuses on enhancing the base already in existence.

Carry forward the progress made

This highlights the act of continuing advancement or development that has already been made.

Expand on the foundation

This alternative emphasizes the act of expanding from an already established base or groundwork.

Extend the current framework

This implies broadening or prolonging the present structure or system.

Improve the existing model

This focuses on refining and enhancing the model currently available.

Advance existing efforts

This highlights the idea of furthering or progressing ongoing endeavors.

Deepen existing understanding

This suggests to make current knowledge more profound.

Take it to the next level

This suggests elevating something to a more advanced or sophisticated stage.

Amplify previous accomplishments

This emphasizes the process of magnifying achievements already obtained.

FAQs

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

You can use "build upon the work" to show how a current project or idea is expanding on previous efforts. For instance, "This research aims to "build upon the work" of earlier studies in the field".

What's a formal alternative to "build upon the work"?

A more formal alternative is "extend the current framework" or "further develop the existing base". These phrases maintain a professional tone while conveying a similar meaning.

What does it mean to "build upon the work" of others?

To "build upon the work" of others means to use their ideas, research, or achievements as a foundation for your own efforts, with the intention of expanding, improving, or refining their original contributions.

How is "build upon the work" different from simply copying the work?

"Build upon the work" implies adding original insights, improvements, or expansions to the original work. Simply copying lacks the element of original contribution and ethical integrity.