builds upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"builds upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that is built based on a foundation or idea already in existence. For example, "This new program builds upon the policies and procedures already established in the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This builds upon Autodesk's current Building Information Modeling products.

TechCrunch

New poverty builds upon old impoverishment.

The New York Times

More recent psychological research builds upon Gottman and Levenson's work.

Independent

This work builds upon frequency domain wave control concepts.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

This approach builds upon the multiscale modelling concept.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

The LSTD curriculum builds upon current GSE Area requirements.

Stanford University

The researchers' case builds upon three independent sets of evidence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Israel's appointment comes as Guardian builds upon its recent commercial momentum in the US.

The Guardian

This builds upon the launch of NME.com in India and Club NME in Brazil.

The Guardian

History teaches us that revenge builds upon revenge, and more revenge.

The New York Times

It builds upon policies and practices that have been instituted and refined over the past decade".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "builds upon" to show a clear connection and progression from a previous concept, work, or foundation. This emphasizes the idea of advancement and improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "builds upon" when a simpler phrase like "uses" or "includes" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "builds upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something is constructed, developed, or expanded based on a pre-existing foundation, idea, or system. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "builds upon" is a versatile verb phrase used to express that something is developed or extended from an existing base. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is frequently used in academic, scientific, and news contexts. While alternatives like "is predicated on" and "expands on" exist, they subtly shift the meaning. To use "builds upon" effectively, ensure it genuinely reflects a process of development or enhancement and avoid overusing it when simpler terms would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constructs upon

A more formal alternative that emphasizes the act of building or creating something on an existing base.

expands on

Focuses on the idea of extending or developing something further, often with more detail.

develops from

Highlights the process of growth and evolution from a starting point.

is predicated on

Indicates that something is based on or depends on a particular condition or assumption.

is founded upon

Emphasizes the establishment of something on a firm basis or principle.

solidifies upon

Implies making something stronger or more secure on an existing foundation, rather than just developing it.

extends from

Suggests a natural progression or continuation from an existing point or idea.

is rooted in

Highlights the deep connection and origin of something in a particular source or foundation.

takes from

Suggests adopting something from something else but without the idea of improving on it.

stems from

Suggests the origin of something from something else but not that it improves or creates something new.

FAQs

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

You can use "builds upon" to indicate that something is developed or expanded based on an existing foundation. For example, "The new software "builds upon" the existing framework to provide enhanced features".

What are some alternatives to "builds upon"?

Alternatives to "builds upon" include phrases like "is predicated on", "expands on", or "develops from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "builds on" instead of "builds upon"?

Yes, "builds on" is a shorter and equally acceptable alternative to "builds upon". Both phrases convey the same meaning of developing or expanding something based on an existing foundation.

What's the difference between "builds upon" and "is based on"?

"Builds upon" implies a sense of progression and improvement, while "is based on" simply indicates a foundation or starting point. "Builds upon" suggests that something new is being created or enhanced, while "is based on" does not necessarily imply advancement.