building up

USAGE SUMMARY

"building up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is gradually increasing in size or intensity. For example, "My enthusiasm for the project is building up day by day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I'm building up more muscle".

The New York Times

I'm still building up strength.

The New York Times

"You're just agonizingly building up".

The New York Times

Building up momentum wasn't easy.

Independent

France is building up links.

The Economist

We are building up for that".

The New York Times

"It was building up its naval power.

The New York Times

"We're inadvertently building up the brand".

The New York Times

"The energy is building up," he said.

The New York Times

Building up to intolerable levels".

The New Yorker

That's O.K. I'm building up".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing progress or development, use "building up" to convey a sense of gradual, consistent advancement. For example, "We are building up our customer base through targeted marketing."

Common error

Avoid using "building up" interchangeably with phrases like "blowing up" or "tearing down", which have opposite meanings. Always consider the context to ensure your word choice accurately reflects the intended direction of change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, specifically the present participle form, indicating an ongoing process. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, exemplified in various contexts ranging from physical strength to emotional states. The phrase often describes a gradual accumulation or intensification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "building up" functions as a versatile phrasal verb, commonly used to describe the gradual increase or intensification of something over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context accurately reflects the intended meaning of gradual development, while also avoiding confusion with similar-sounding phrases that have opposite connotations. With a neutral register and a high frequency of occurrence, "building up" is a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulating

Focuses on the gradual gathering or collection of something over time.

increasing gradually

Highlights the progressive nature of the growth or rise.

intensifying

Emphasizes the strengthening or heightening of something, often in terms of emotions or pressure.

developing steadily

Suggests a consistent and ongoing process of growth or maturation.

escalating

Implies a rapid or dramatic increase, often in a negative context like conflict.

gaining momentum

Indicates an increase in speed or force, often in the context of a project or movement.

ramping up

Suggests a deliberate and often rapid increase in production or activity.

gathering pace

Similar to gaining momentum, but can apply to broader contexts beyond projects.

fostering

Signifies cultivating growth or advancement, implying a supportive environment.

cultivating

Suggests intentionally nurturing or developing something, often with care and attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "building up" to describe a gradual increase or accumulation. For example, "The anticipation for the concert is "building up" among fans" or "She is "building up" her savings for a down payment on a house".

What are some alternatives to "building up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "accumulating", "intensifying", or "gaining momentum". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "build up" instead of "building up"?

Yes, "build up" is the base form of the phrasal verb. "Building up" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "They are building up their defenses"). The correct form depends on the sentence structure.

What's the difference between "building up" and "building"?

"Building" generally refers to the act of constructing something physical. "Building up", however, typically describes a gradual increase in something abstract, such as strength, momentum, or pressure. However, the literal sense of construction also exists.