builds on

USAGE SUMMARY

"builds on" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used when adding further information or ideas onto something already established. For example: "This study builds on previous work to provide greater insight".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Every administration builds on the one before.

Huffington Post

Each protest builds on the one before.

HuffPost

No one work builds on another.

The New Yorker

This questions builds on the first one.

Huffington Post

Atrocity builds on atrocity.

The New York Times

"It builds on itself".

The New York Times

Science builds on science.

The Guardian

Strength builds on strength.

Columbia University

It builds on a successful strategy.

Independent

But this installation builds on earlier works.

The New York Times - Arts

It builds on a similar 2001 review.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "builds on", clearly state what is being built upon to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The project builds on previous efforts", specify "The project builds on the previous efforts in sustainable agriculture".

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "builds on", especially in academic writing. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to create a more engaging and sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "builds on" functions as a connector, indicating that a subject (an idea, project, research, etc.) expands upon, develops from, or is based on a prior foundation. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "builds on" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is developed or expanded from a previous foundation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in academic, scientific, and news reporting. To ensure clarity, specify the foundation being built upon and avoid overusing the phrase in introductory sentences. Semantically related alternatives include "expands upon", "extends from", and "is based upon". By following these guidelines, writers can effectively use "builds on" to communicate the progressive development of ideas and projects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expands upon

Focuses on elaborating and adding details to a preceding idea or concept.

extends from

Emphasizes the continuation and outreach from an existing base or foundation.

develops further

Highlights the progressive advancement and evolution of a concept or project.

is predicated on

Indicates that something is fundamentally based or reliant on a prior condition or assumption.

is based upon

Stresses the foundational aspect of something, similar to "is predicated on" but slightly broader.

takes its cue from

Suggests that something is inspired or derived from a previous work or idea.

derives from

Emphasizes the origin of something and its dependence on a source.

amplifies

Focuses on increasing or enhancing what already exists.

is rooted in

Indicates a deep and fundamental connection to an origin or base.

hinges on

Highlights the critical dependence of something on a specific factor or element.

FAQs

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

Use "builds on" to indicate that something expands upon, develops further, or is based on a previous idea, concept, or work. For example: "This research "builds on" previous findings in the field of neuroscience".

What are some alternatives to "builds on"?

You can use alternatives like "expands upon", "extends from", or "is based upon" depending on the specific context.

What does "builds on" mean?

"Builds on" means to use something as a foundation for further development or expansion. It implies a progressive relationship where the new development is dependent on and grows out of the existing base.

Is it correct to say that something "builds on" another thing?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "builds on" is frequently used to describe how new ideas, projects, or research "develops further" based on previous works.