building on existing knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"building on existing knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase if you are discussing the idea of building further upon information that is already known and accepted. For example, "In my research, I am building on existing knowledge by investigating new ways to improve efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

CES designed a monthly course utilizing adult learning best practices such as building on existing knowledge, using a 'teach-back' method, and project and case-based exercises.

Global Health Action

Inadequate access to this "missing" literature allowed a knowledge deficit and left the research community at risk of repeating completed work rather than building on existing knowledge.

BMC Palliative Care

In addition, two cross-cutting themes: a) building on existing knowledge and skills; and b) adopting a whole school approach to behaviour change were identified.

BMC Public Health

Specifically, provision of extracurricular programmes, creating spaces and time for physical activity and healthy food activities and inviting external experts into the school are all consistent with building on existing knowledge and resources.

BMC Public Health

It is, however, also important to acknowledge that these themes can be grouped into two cross-cutting themes: a) building on existing knowledge and resources and; b) adopting a whole school approach which are also presented in Table  1.

BMC Public Health

The literature within this field is expanding, and studies of new psychosocial intervention approaches building on existing knowledge and targeting specific problems of infertile patients, for example, mind/body interventions (MBIs), internet-based treatments and online psychoeducation programmes, have since been published.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This knowledge gap needs to be narrowed by building on existing systems of toxicity testing.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Science research is inherently iterative because new knowledge builds on existing knowledge.

CBE Life Sciences Education

We based the model building on already existing knowledge of the habitat preferences of the species and built four alternative predictive models with logistic regression.

Forest Ecology and Management

Utilizing this model, NWABR's professional development workshops included teachers as program partners, valuing their prior experiences and building on their existing knowledge during training and curriculum development.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Listening to and respecting family carers was discussed in terms of building on the existing knowledge of family members (including contributing to the interpretation of communication and providing insights in to a person's life history), supporting existing relationships, providing post-bereavement support and managing the transition to a sharing of care with staff.

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "building on existing knowledge", clearly state what that existing knowledge is to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "Building on existing knowledge of climate patterns, we can predict future weather events more accurately."

Common error

Avoid using "building on existing knowledge" without specifying the knowledge base. Readers need to understand the foundation upon which you are building. Be precise to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building on existing knowledge" functions as a gerund phrase, often used to modify a noun or verb. It indicates a process of developing something new based on what is already known. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples, showcasing its adaptability across contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "building on existing knowledge" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the process of developing new ideas or research based on established information. Ludwig's AI confirms that this phrase is suitable for use in written English. Its prevalence in scientific, news, and formal business contexts underscores its versatility. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the knowledge base being built upon. While alternatives like "leveraging existing knowledge" and "expanding upon existing knowledge" offer similar meanings, the choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leveraging existing knowledge

Replaces "building on" with "leveraging", emphasizing the strategic use of existing knowledge.

expanding upon existing knowledge

Focuses on the idea of increasing or developing existing knowledge further.

furthering existing knowledge

Highlights the advancement and progress of existing understanding.

capitalizing on existing knowledge

Emphasizes taking advantage of existing knowledge for a specific benefit.

developing from existing knowledge

Stresses the growth and evolution that occurs from existing knowledge.

extending existing knowledge

Focuses on broadening the scope and reach of current knowledge.

advancing from existing knowledge

Highlights the progression and forward movement made possible by existing knowledge.

drawing on existing knowledge

Implies using existing knowledge as a resource or foundation.

using existing knowledge as a foundation

Explicitly states that existing knowledge serves as the basis for further development.

integrating existing knowledge

Focuses on combining existing knowledge with new information or insights.

FAQs

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

You can use "building on existing knowledge" to describe how new ideas or research are developed from established information. For instance, "The new study is "building on existing knowledge" of genetics to explore potential cures for the disease."

What are some alternatives to "building on existing knowledge"?

Alternatives include "leveraging existing knowledge", "expanding upon existing knowledge", or "furthering existing knowledge". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "building on existing knowledge" or "build on existing knowledge"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "building on existing knowledge" (gerund form) often functions as a modifier, while "build on existing knowledge" (imperative form) is used as a verb phrase expressing an action. Context determines the more appropriate choice.

What does "building on existing knowledge" mean in academic writing?

In academic writing, "building on existing knowledge" signifies that a new study or theory is based on and extends from previous research and established understanding in a particular field.