built upon a foundation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "built upon a foundation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is established or developed based on a fundamental principle or base. Example: "The theory of evolution is built upon a foundation of extensive scientific research and evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

International adoption is built upon a foundation of lies and cultural misunderstandings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some traditions are easier than others, and some are built upon a foundation of generations.

The Washington Post

Washington was built upon a foundation of hyperbole, a mud bank like the one Jefferson sketched into his map.

The New Yorker

The governor's public image, his power as a politician, was built upon a foundation of moral rectitude; this felt like betrayal.

The New York Times

It then became evident that monarchies could survive only if they were built upon a foundation of broad, nationalist-popular support, benefiting from a majority coalition of social forces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Mr. Hardin, the Andersen defense lawyer, portrayed the government's case as being a "rush to judgment" built upon a foundation of documents whose meaning was twisted to fit a preconceived view.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The course is an advanced, applied econometrics course designed to build upon a foundation in econometrics from either Econ 132 or Econ 136.

Yale University

And should al-Maliki suddenly try to double-cross the Kurds, the US could shift its military support to that long-stateless people and build upon a foundation first laid during the enforced "no fly zone" period.

The Guardian - Opinion

CHP builds upon a foundation established over the past decade at the Mailman School in climate and health scholarship, including the longest-running graduate level course on the public health impacts of climate change.

Columbia University

This multi-dimensional way of working builds upon a foundation of storytelling, challenges old paradigms, evaluates the effectiveness of distribution channels, and exhibits a deep understanding of the role technology plays in PR. "Substance-level PR" significantly increases your chances of reaching your PR goals every time.

Forbes

Asian Americans can be pivotal in the political movement and we have the opportunity to turn these statistics around, to break down these barriers and build upon a foundation of APIA activism for future generations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "built upon a foundation", ensure the "foundation" is clearly defined and understood by your audience. This provides clarity and strengthens the argument or description.

Common error

Avoid using "built upon a foundation" when the foundation is weak or insignificant. This creates a mismatch between the language and the reality, weakening your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "built upon a foundation" functions as a prepositional phrase that often acts as an adjectival modifier, describing how something is constructed or established. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, it signifies that something is based on a particular base or set of principles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "built upon a foundation" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe something established or developed based on a fundamental principle or base. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic and scientific writing. While alternatives like "based on a foundation" or "grounded in a framework" exist, "built upon a foundation" effectively conveys the deliberate construction and reliance on a solid base. When using this phrase, ensure the foundation is clearly defined to strengthen your message. Its frequency suggests it's a reliable choice for expressing the idea of something being firmly rooted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on a foundation

Replaces "built upon" with a more static descriptor, focusing on the state of being based rather than the act of building.

founded on a basis

Uses "founded" which has a connotation of establishing something new, and "basis" which is a similar concept to "foundation".

grounded in a framework

Emphasizes the structure and system that supports something, rather than just a base.

predicated on a principle

Highlights the underlying belief or assumption upon which something is based.

constructed on a groundwork

Emphasizes the preliminary work that enables something to be built.

established on a bedrock

Uses "bedrock" to imply a particularly solid and unshakeable foundation.

developed from a platform

Suggests a starting point for growth and expansion.

hinges on a core

Implies that everything depends on the central element.

rests on a substructure

Similar to foundation, but potentially suggesting something hidden or less obvious.

underpinned by a tenet

Focuses on the fundamental belief or doctrine that supports something.

FAQs

How can I use "built upon a foundation" in a sentence?

Use "built upon a foundation" to describe something that is developed or established based on a particular base or principle. For example: "The company's success was "built upon a foundation" of customer service."

What are some alternatives to "built upon a foundation"?

Alternatives include "based on a foundation", "founded on a basis", or "grounded in a framework" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "built on a foundation" or "built upon a foundation"?

Both "built on a foundation" and "built upon a foundation" are grammatically correct. "Built upon" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the action of building on top of something, whereas "built on" is more concise.

What does it mean when something is "built upon a foundation" of trust?

When something is "built upon a foundation" of trust, it means that trust is the essential and underlying element that supports its existence and functionality. Without trust, the structure would be unstable or unsustainable.