building off

USAGE SUMMARY

"building off" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something is based on or expanding from a previous idea or action. Here is an example sentence: "He was able to build off his previous success and create an even better product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's not like we're building off success".

The New York Times - Sports

"Everybody's building off each other's excitement, too".

The New York Times - Sports

At the homestead, the three of them play Scrabble, building off one another's words.

The New York Times - Books

Instead, the Brewers can dream of building off their first division title in 29 years.

The New York Times - Sports

We have over a $100,000 backlog that were building off now.

The New York Times

Building off a strong game against DePaul, he had 8 points and 6 rebounds.

The New York Times - Sports

The site was started in 1996 as an online encyclopedia of myths and urban legends, building off the couple's hobby.

The New York Times - Tech

Science works by making mistakes and building off those mistakes to make new mistakes and new discoveries.

The New York Times

Once he got a taste, of that initial success, for the last year he's been building off that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A major in appropriate technology, Mr. Butler plans on building off-the-grid homes.

The New York Times

Miller is credited with building off-roading's first single-seat racing buggy.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "building off", ensure the connection between the initial idea and the subsequent development is clear and logical. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "building off" without clearly specifying what you are building upon. Always provide a direct reference to the initial idea, concept, or achievement that serves as the foundation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building off" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjective or adverb to modify a verb or noun. It indicates a relationship of dependence or extension from a prior action or concept, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "building off" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase indicating the act of expanding upon or developing from a previous foundation. Analysis of Ludwig AI shows its common usage across News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. To ensure clarity in writing, it's crucial to specify the antecedent upon which you are "building off". Alternatives include "expanding upon", "leveraging", and "developing from", each subtly altering the nuance. While commonly used and accepted, clarity regarding its base is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expanding upon

Focuses on the act of adding detail or scope to an existing idea or project.

leveraging

Highlights the use of something to gain an advantage or achieve a desired outcome.

developing from

Emphasizes the evolutionary aspect of growth and change from a starting point.

deriving from

Stresses the origin or source from which something is obtained.

extending from

Indicates a continuation or prolongation from an existing base.

capitalizing on

Highlights taking advantage of a situation or resource.

taking as a starting point

Explicitly states using something as the initial foundation for further action.

using as a basis

Focuses on the foundational aspect of utilizing something for subsequent development.

drawing on

Implies utilizing a resource or idea to support further progress.

progressing from

Highlights advancement and movement forward from a particular stage.

FAQs

How can I use "building off" in a sentence?

You can use "building off" to describe expanding upon a previous idea or success. For example, "The new strategy is "building off" the successes of the previous campaign".

What's the difference between "building off" and "building on"?

While similar, "building off" often implies a more distinct separation or extension from the original idea, while "building on" suggests a more continuous and integrated development. They are often interchangeable, but consider the nuance of separation or continuation.

What are some alternatives to using "building off"?

You can use alternatives like "expanding upon", "leveraging", or "developing from" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "building off"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Building off" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is based on or extends from a previous concept or action.