building on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "building on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of developing or expanding upon an existing idea, concept, or foundation. Example: "In our next meeting, we will be building on the ideas discussed last week to create a more comprehensive plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"If anything, I am encouraged because I know I'm building on something.

The New York Times - Sports

Tennis would love to be building on something heading into the United States Open, but it instead seems to be awash in aches and pains.

The New York Times - Sports

"You know how you have the black political caucus and whatnot in Congress, and, everything, to start building on something like that, OK. "It doesn't have to be anti, like the movement's been for decades, so much as it has to be pro-white.

The Guardian

Instead, it was a tabletop exercise building on something all too real: the ever-expanding panoply of U.S. and allied military activities across ever-larger parts of Africa.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That update also introduced a personalised dictionary — something Nuance is building on now by letting users sync their slang across all their Swype-friendly devices. .

TechCrunch

But along the way there is relationship building based on something I call Parental Intelligence.

Huffington Post

About two weeks into the job in 1990, Oren started to feel guilty that what he had done was dishonest and that building his career on something dodgy was a crappy way to live his life.

TechCrunch

We're building a company on something that should be how existing technology companies already operate, but they don't".

Vice

The team at Mayfield Robotics wanted very much to create a satisfying, full experience from the moment you unpack Kuri, and so the focus was not on opening up integrations from day one, but instead on building something you'll feel has value all on its own.

TechCrunch

Upon learning that investigators had hidden a video camera in Justice Garson's robing room at the matrimonial court, in the Municipal Building on Joralemon Street, something state court officials said was unprecedented, Brooklyn's judges "flipped out," one lawyer said.

The New York Times

"You should expect eventually the platforms you are building on to do something against your interest.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "building on something", ensure that the 'something' is clearly defined and understood by your audience. This provides a solid foundation for your subsequent points.

Common error

Avoid using "building on something" when the 'something' is ambiguous or undefined. Ensure the reference is clear to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building on something" functions as a verb phrase that signifies the act of developing, expanding, or adding to a pre-existing base, idea, or accomplishment. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable. The examples show its use in various contexts to indicate advancement or progress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "building on something" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the process of developing or expanding upon an existing foundation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used across different contexts, especially in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the 'something' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "expanding upon something" or "leveraging something", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expanding upon something

Focuses more on the act of detailed enlargement or elaboration.

leveraging something

Implies using something to gain an advantage or achieve a specific goal.

developing something further

Emphasizes the progress and advancement of an existing element.

capitalizing on something

Highlights exploiting something for maximum benefit.

taking something to the next level

Suggests elevating something to a higher stage or degree.

advancing from something

Indicates moving forward from a particular starting point.

progressing from something

Focuses on the linear movement forward in development.

extending something

Highlights making something longer or more comprehensive.

elaborating on something

Indicates providing more detail and explanation.

perfecting something

Suggests making something flawless or ideal, which might be the ultimate goal of "building".

FAQs

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

You can use "building on something" to describe the process of developing or expanding upon an existing idea, concept, or achievement. For example, "The new strategy is "building on something" that was already successful last year".

What are some alternatives to "building on something"?

Alternatives include "expanding upon something", "leveraging something", or "developing something further". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state what 'something' refers to when using "building on something"?

While not always grammatically required, it's generally best practice to make the 'something' clear to avoid ambiguity and ensure the audience understands the connection being made. Omit the 'something' when it is obvious or implied in the context.

What's the difference between "building on something" and "resting on something"?

"Building on something" implies active development and expansion, while "resting on something" suggests relying solely on an existing foundation without further progress.