building upon it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "building upon it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of developing or expanding on an idea, concept, or foundation that has already been established. Example: "In our next meeting, we will be building upon it by discussing further strategies to enhance our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Developing an idea is the easy part, but the quickness with which everyone in the ensemble organizes around it, building upon it and expanding it, is truly amazing.

The New York Times

The biggest fear for Mr. Romney's campaign is that he is coasting on a wave of enthusiasm rather than building upon it.

The New York Times

Even if you don't totally agree with an idea, embrace it and try to add your own spin to it, building upon it by saying "yes and".

Stanford University

They looked capable of building upon it too as Sunderland laboured in their attempts to find a way back into the game until Cabaye's central midfield partner Cheick Tiote fell foul of referee Martin Atkinson.

Independent

The fact that he is not only continuing his support of Loaves and Fishes, but also building upon it by doing the same for the Whitechapel Centre in Liverpool says much about the type of man he is".

Independent

This approach — focusing on what's going right and building upon it — has been called "positive deviance" and was systematized by Jerry and Monique Sternin, a couple who worked with Save the Children in Vietnam in the 1990s.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Are there any candidates for this? 5) Building upon this, it would be useful to provide a sentence or two (or a reference) for why the functional form of Equation 5 is chosen.

eLife

It was designed in 1901 by Henry Andersen for Joseph Oussani, who moved into the building upon its completion in 1902.

The New York Times

The antique time capsule, which had been placed in a cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House, was discovered this week when workers who had been repairing a water leak at the building stumbled upon it, CNN reports.

Huffington Post

This space was later invested with religious significance, being dedicated to the gods in gratitude for their protection, and building and planting upon it remained forbidden.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He would say, when they sent down his ice from the hotel bar (he was in a cottage below the main building, flowers heaped upon it; envying a little the unencumbered mountains of the Sierra Madre) and when he had chilled his mescal — warm, it tasted rotten — he would write that in 1947, when he was living in Paris, he knew any number of singular people.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "building upon it", ensure that the 'it' is clearly defined and easily understood within the context of your writing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "building upon it" when the 'it' has not been explicitly stated or is ambiguous. Always make sure the referent is clear to your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building upon it" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and is generally used to indicate the act of developing something further from an existing base. For example, 'They are "building upon it" to create something entirely new'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "building upon it" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the process of expanding or developing an existing concept or foundation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, from News & Media to Academia and Science. When writing, ensure the 'it' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "expanding upon it" or "developing it further" can provide nuanced variations. Its frequency is common, making it a reliable choice for expressing progressive development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expanding upon it

Focuses on the act of making something larger or more comprehensive.

developing it further

Highlights the progressive advancement and refinement of something.

extending it

Emphasizes the act of stretching or prolonging something.

elaborating on it

Stresses the addition of details and complexity.

augmenting it

Implies enhancing something by adding to it.

enhancing it

Focuses on improving the quality or value of something.

progressing from it

Suggests advancement to a subsequent stage or level.

taking it to the next level

Implies a significant advancement or improvement.

capitalizing on it

Highlights the act of leveraging something for an advantage.

leveraging it

Focuses on utilizing something effectively to gain a benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "building upon it" in a sentence?

Use "building upon it" when you want to express that something is being developed or expanded from an existing foundation or idea. For instance, "The new software is "building upon it" to include more features".

What are some alternatives to "building upon it"?

Alternatives include "expanding on it", "developing it further", or "extending it", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "building upon it" formal or informal?

"Building upon it" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.

When should I use "building upon it" versus other similar phrases?

Use "building upon it" when you want to emphasize the act of taking an existing idea or structure and adding to it. If you want to emphasize improvement, consider "enhancing it". If you want to focus on making something larger, "expanding on it" might be more appropriate.