can be built upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be built upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something serves as a foundation for further development or improvement. Example: "The initial research findings can be built upon to create a more comprehensive study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The health reforms can be built upon.

The Economist

Those relationships can be built upon.

The New York Times

No credible, lasting peace can be built upon impunity and injustice.

The Guardian

But it is a more realistic one and, if successful, it can be built upon.

The Economist

But this is a wonderful indicator that there is some success here, and it is something that can be built upon.

The Guardian

However, Wazoku is designed to enable specific questions to be answered and these can be built upon until an idea has been crystallised.

The Guardian

But Thompson felt some progress had been made and Milne is optimistic that can be built upon in the coming weeks.

Independent

Because the burden of proof in civil matters is lesser than in criminal ones, Mr. O'Dwyer is hopeful that a case against Mr. Ramos can be built upon evidence that the authorities have considered too weak or circumstantial to charge him with a crime.

The New York Times

A complete set of quantum states can be built upon each ground state.

SEP

Chat is a foundation that other social interactions can be built upon.

TechCrunch

Namely, WZ enhancement layers can be built upon conventional or DVC base layers which are used as SI.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be built upon" to emphasize the potential for growth and development from an existing base, rather than starting from scratch.

Common error

Avoid using "can be built upon" if the existing base is weak or unstable. This can create unrealistic expectations and undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be built upon" functions as a passive construction indicating the potential for future development based on a present foundation. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English, emphasizing its role in suggesting further elaboration or improvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Science & Research

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be built upon" is a versatile expression used to indicate the potential for future development or expansion based on an existing foundation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse domains, including news, science, and formal writing. Its purpose is to highlight opportunities for growth and improvement, emphasizing that current efforts are stepping stones for future progress. While the phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts, it's important to ensure that the underlying foundation is solid and well-defined to avoid unrealistic expectations. Alternatives like "can be expanded upon" or "can be further developed" offer similar meanings, but the specific choice should reflect the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be used as a foundation

Directly states the role of something as a base for future work.

can be further developed

Focuses on expansion and elaboration of an existing idea or project.

can be improved

Focuses on making something better or more effective.

can be expanded upon

Highlights the potential for increasing the scope or detail of something.

can be taken as a starting point

Suggests an initial step or idea that can be improved upon.

can be extended

Focuses on making something longer or more comprehensive.

can be leveraged

Emphasizes the strategic use of something for advantage or gain.

can be enhanced

Highlights the act of increasing or improving the quality or value of something.

can be capitalized on

Highlights exploiting an opportunity for growth or advancement.

can be adapted

Implies modifying something to suit new conditions or purposes.

FAQs

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

The phrase "can be built upon" indicates that something serves as a foundation for further development or improvement. For example, "The initial research findings "can be built upon" to create a more comprehensive study."

What can I say instead of "can be built upon"?

You can use alternatives like "can be expanded upon", "can be further developed", or "can be leveraged" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "can build on" or "can be built upon"?

Both "can build on" and "can be built upon" are grammatically correct, but "can be built upon" is more formal and emphasizes the passive role of the foundation. The best choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What is the difference between "can be built upon" and "can be expanded upon"?

"Can be built upon" implies that something serves as a base for further construction, while "can be expanded upon" means adding more details to something that already exists. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize construction or simply adding more information.