building on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "building on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being developed or expanded based on a previous idea, concept, or foundation. Example: "We are building on the research conducted last year to develop a more comprehensive strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We're even building on our water.

The New York Times

Enabling: building on children's utterances.

Functional Linguistics

We are building on rock".

The Economist

WHO toured the refurbished building on Wednesday?

The New York Times

faculty apartment building on Bleecker Street.

The New Yorker

The ugliest building on the block".

The New Yorker

"Today, we are building on this momentum".

The New York Times

Built Bush Terminal Building on 42nd.

The New Yorker

Building on the water?

The Guardian

That's building on it.

The Guardian - Film

Pressure is building on Cablevision.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "building on" to clearly indicate that a new idea, project, or initiative is directly related to and benefits from a previous one. This helps establish a logical progression and provides context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "building on" when there is no clear preceding concept or foundation. Ensure that the connection between the original idea and the new development is evident to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building on" functions as a present participle used to describe an action of developing or extending something from an existing base. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is commonly used to connect current efforts with previous achievements or ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "building on" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the development or expansion of an idea or project based on a previous foundation. Ludwig AI analysis shows its usage to be grammatically correct and common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using "building on", ensure there's a clear connection to the preceding concept. Alternatives such as "expanding upon" or "developing further" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developing further

Focuses more on the progression and detailing of an idea.

expanding upon

Highlights the act of increasing the scope or detail of something.

leveraging from

Emphasizes the use of existing resources or advantages.

capitalizing on

Highlights the act of taking advantage of an opportunity or strength.

advancing from

Implies a movement forward from a particular starting point.

progressing from

Suggests gradual improvement or development from a base.

extending from

Focuses on the outreach and expansion of something.

improving upon

Stresses the enhancement or refinement of something already in place.

augmenting with

Highlights the addition of something to enhance or complete the existing base.

refining from

Indicates a process of purification or improvement from a current state.

FAQs

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

The phrase "building on" is used to indicate that something is being developed or expanded based on a previous idea or foundation. For example: "We are building on the research conducted last year to develop a more comprehensive strategy."

What's a good alternative to "building on"?

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

Is it appropriate to use "building on" in formal writing?

Yes, "building on" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic and professional contexts where it's important to show how new work connects to previous research or initiatives. It shows a clear logical progression.

What is the difference between "building on" and "based on"?

"Building on" implies a developmental relationship where the new element extends and enhances the original, while "based on" simply means that something is derived or originates from something else without necessarily adding to it.