constructing upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constructing upon" is not standard in written English and may be considered incorrect.
It is typically intended to convey the idea of building or developing something based on a foundation or previous work, but the more common expression is "building upon." Example: "The architect is constructing upon the ideas presented in the initial design proposal."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Having established the foundation of his new system, Fichte then turned to the task of constructing upon this foundation a fully-articulated transcendental system, the overall structure of which is most clearly outlined in the concluding section of the transcripts of his lectures on Wissenschaftslehre nova methodo.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We are constructed upon that.

The New Yorker

Her Harry Potter books are constructed upon these values.

The Guardian - Opinion

Could brightly painted wooden huts be constructed upon them, and rented out as budget cruise accommodation, providing a much-needed new income source for the MoD?

The Guardian

There, and at the many city playgrounds that were later constructed upon the same lines, phys ed was favored over fantasy.

The New Yorker

Moreover, President Bush's plan to use military tribunals further underscores a disconcerting redefinition of democratic values in a country constructed upon, and fighting for, such principles.

The New York Times

By its failure to contest the proposition that "the world had changed", New Labour was constructed upon the tacit admission of its own powerlessness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Second, the essay argued against what he called the dogma of reductionism, or "the belief," as he put it, "that each meaningful statement is equivalent to some logical construct upon terms which refer to immediate experience".

The New York Times - Arts

By far the commonest covering throughout history is the trussed roof, constructed upon a frame composed of triangular sections spaced crosswise at intervals and made rigid in length by beams.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the very least, I thought, his idea of what it is to be rational must be quite different from mine, for my conception of rationality has been constructed upon a steadily deepening belief in the non-existence of God (any God).

The Guardian - Opinion

The state model of UKF is constructed upon the improved RMPCA.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the more common and grammatically correct phrase "building upon" instead of "constructing upon".

Common error

While "constructing upon" might seem like a sophisticated choice, it's less familiar to readers. Stick to "building upon" for clarity and better communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constructing upon" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, aiming to describe the action of building or creating something on an existing foundation. However, as noted by Ludwig, this phrasing is not standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "constructing upon" attempts to convey the idea of building something on a foundation, it's not a standard or grammatically sound choice. Ludwig indicates that this usage is uncommon and suggests using "building upon" instead. This alternative is not only more grammatically correct, but also more familiar to readers, enhancing clarity and avoiding potential confusion. For writing that is both precise and easily understood, opting for "building upon" is the best practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

building upon

More common and grammatically standard alternative.

developing from

Focuses on the evolution and progression aspect.

elaborating on

Highlights the act of adding detail and complexity.

expanding upon

Emphasizes the increase in scope or size.

based on

Highlights the foundation or origin.

drawing from

Suggests taking inspiration or resources from something.

erecting on

Emphasizes the act of building or creating on a base or foundation.

grounded in

Highlights the underlying principles or rationale.

predicated on

Emphasizes the dependence on certain conditions or assumptions.

founded on

Similar to 'based on', but can imply a more formal or established foundation.

FAQs

What's a better alternative to "constructing upon"?

A more common and grammatically sound alternative is "building upon". It conveys the same meaning with greater clarity and acceptance.

Is "constructing upon" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "constructing upon" isn't standard English. "Building upon" is the preferred phrasing.

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

Example: "The new theory building upon previous research, offers a fresh perspective."

When should I use "building upon" instead of "constructing upon"?

Always. "Building upon" is the standard and more widely accepted way to express the idea of developing something based on a foundation.