built upon itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "built upon itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concept, idea, or structure that develops or evolves by adding layers or elements that enhance or reinforce its foundation. Example: "The theory of evolution is built upon itself, as new discoveries continually refine our understanding of species development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It built upon itself like an avalanche.

The New York Times - Sports

He missed the birdie putt, but the iron shot gave him the impetus he needed to continue what became a full-on assault on the course, a round that "just kind of built upon itself," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Culture has always built upon itself.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Obviously, confidence builds upon itself," said Furyk, who tied for ninth at the Canadian Open.

The New York Times - Sports

The ideal bedtime story, according to Nitun Verma, a national spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, is one that "doesn't build upon itself," like a movie "with a lot of parallel stories that don't connect at the end".

The New Yorker

The initial impetus for the British VFX industry, he says, came from the Harry Potter series, which began filming in 2000 at Leavesden studios in Hertfordshire, and supplied "a good steady stream of work that could build upon itself – similar work each time – and that gave a backbone around which to build an industry".

The Guardian - Film

The result is somewhat magical, where momentum builds upon itself.

TechCrunch

Systematic Conservation Planning is a flexible, recursive process that builds upon itself to continuously allow room for improvement.

Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene

Success builds upon itself, and in so doing, makes the journey more fun.

TechCrunch

Improving these deficiencies will allow future studies to perform equitable and comparable assessments, thus creating a synergistic set of literature that continuously builds upon itself rather than generates independent and isolated conclusions.

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

According to Beeman, the episode would start very calm and then begin to build upon itself.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "built upon itself" to describe concepts or processes that gain momentum or complexity over time, where each stage enhances the previous one. This is particularly effective in explaining iterative or recursive systems.

Common error

Avoid using "built upon itself" when a simpler term like "developed" or "progressed" would suffice. Reserve it for scenarios where the iterative or cumulative nature is a key aspect of the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "built upon itself" functions as a descriptive verbal phrase indicating a process of incremental development or accumulation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Examples in Ludwig show its application in describing cultural evolution and personal confidence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "built upon itself" is used to describe a process or concept that grows incrementally, with each step adding to the foundation established by previous steps. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct. While grammatically sound and relatively common in news, science, and wiki contexts, it is important to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where the iterative nature of the development is central to the meaning. Alternatives such as "developed incrementally" or "accumulated progressively" may be more appropriate in certain contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives when the iterative nature isn't the focus. Use of this phrase effectively can add depth to your explanations of evolving systems and ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed incrementally

Focuses on the gradual and progressive nature of the development.

accumulated progressively

Emphasizes the accumulation aspect of the development.

compounded gradually

Highlights the compounding effect over time.

expanded layer by layer

Illustrates a structural or layered development.

snowballed

Implies a rapid increase or growth, similar to an avalanche.

grew organically

Indicates a natural and evolving development process.

evolved step by step

Highlights the sequential and methodical nature of the development.

became self-perpetuating

Focuses on the self-sustaining aspect of the development.

reinforced itself

Emphasizes the strengthening and validation of the concept over time.

scaled up progressively

Indicates a phased increase in scale or magnitude.

FAQs

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

You can use "built upon itself" to describe a process or concept that progressively evolves by adding layers or elements that enhance or reinforce its foundation. For example: "The success of the project "built upon itself" as each milestone was achieved".

What are some alternatives to "built upon itself"?

Alternatives include phrases like "developed incrementally", "accumulated progressively", or "compounded gradually". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "built upon itself" grammatically correct?

Yes, "built upon itself" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

What is the difference between "built upon itself" and "self-reinforcing"?

"Built upon itself" suggests a progressive accumulation or layering, whereas "self-reinforcing" implies a cycle where the effects of a process amplify its cause. While related, "built upon itself" emphasizes the developmental aspect.