built upon that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "built upon that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is based on or developed from a previous idea, concept, or foundation. Example: "The new policy was built upon that initial proposal, incorporating feedback from various stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Ohlin's work was built upon that of Heckscher.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, the whole law of 'secondary meaning' is built upon that presupposition.

Harvard University

The personal-computer revolution that followed built upon that foundation, stoking optimism encapsulated by John Perry Barlow's 1996 manifesto "A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace".

The New Yorker

Here we built upon that framework and use geodesic distances between landmarks, directly defined on the polyhedral facial surfaces, in order to increase precision during uniform landmark sampling.

Nature

Parham, Seymour, and other early Pentecostals came from the Holiness tradition that taught Christians to seek "sanctification". They built upon that heritage and taught that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was for people who had already experienced sanctification.

Britannica

A platform built upon that product could surely help, too.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

We need to build upon that success and work towards the next defining moment.

The New York Times

I want to build upon that, to move forward and to finish in the points.

Independent

I am entirely confident that Dean – along with all of you – will build upon that foundation.

The Washington Post

"We really wanted to build upon that technique by creating a renewable source of tissue," he says.

MIT Technology Review

The cover, "Nurture," builds upon that theme, and was drawn by the artist Loveis Wise, in her début for the magazine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "built upon that", ensure the connection between the base and the subsequent development is clear and logical. For example, "The initial research provided a solid foundation; the subsequent study, "built upon that", explored the topic in greater depth."

Common error

Avoid using "built upon that" without a clear reference to what "that" refers to. Ensure the antecedent is explicitly stated in the preceding context to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of "The project was successful, and we built upon that", specify: "The project's success provided valuable insights, and we built upon those insights in the next phase."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "built upon that" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of further developing or expanding on a previously established foundation or idea. It shows how a new idea or project is based on earlier work, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "built upon that" signifies an action of developing or expanding something from an existing base. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is commonly used in varied contexts from News & Media to Science and Encyclopedias. While "built upon that" is deemed grammatically sound, ensuring a clear antecedent enhances its clarity. Alternatives such as "expanded on that" and "developed from that" provide similar meanings. The phrase functions neutrally and highlights the connection between established foundations and subsequent advancements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was based on that

Implies a foundation or underlying principle that supports a subsequent development.

expanded on that

Focuses on the act of increasing the detail or scope of what already exists.

developed from that

Highlights the evolution and growth originating from a specific source.

constructed upon that

Focuses on the act of building, assembling, or creating something on an existing base.

stemmed from that

Emphasizes the origin or root cause that leads to something else.

followed from that

Indicates a logical sequence or consequence resulting from an initial event.

derived from that

Stresses the extraction or acquisition of something from a primary source.

grew out of that

Suggests a natural progression or organic development from an initial state.

evolved from that

Highlights the gradual transformation and adaptation over time.

took its lead from that

Emphasizes the influence or guidance provided by a preceding event or idea.

FAQs

What does "built upon that" mean?

The phrase "built upon that" means to use something as a foundation and expand, develop, or improve it. It indicates that a concept, idea, or object is being further advanced based on a previous version or existing element.

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

You can use "built upon that" to show how something new or advanced is created from something that already exists. For example, "The new software "was based on that" original design, incorporating user feedback and advanced features."

What are some alternatives to "built upon that"?

Some alternatives include "expanded on that", "developed from that", or "stemmed from that", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "build on that" instead of "built upon that"?

Yes, "build on that" is a correct and more concise alternative. Both phrases convey the same meaning, but "build on that" is often preferred in more informal contexts.