continue to build upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continue to build upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of enhancing or developing something further based on previous work or foundations. Example: "We will continue to build upon our previous research to achieve even greater results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

These experiences are key components of the foundation that I will continue to build upon throughout my career.

University of Chicago

By working together in the coming weeks and months we can continue to build upon the movement you've played such a huge role in creating.

Independent

"The N.Y.P.D. has defied the skeptics who doubted whether the city could continue to build upon the dramatic reductions in crime".

The New York Times

"For the team and our confidence, that's something we can continue to build upon," Schmid told reporters in the post-game conference.

The Guardian - Sport

"Under their leadership, TBWA is perfectly positioned to continue to build upon the outstanding progress it has been made in the past three years," he added.

The Guardian

We will continue to build upon our success by experimenting with ways to improve our author and reader experience and engage with our reviewers.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The Ortners "were the driving force behind the creation of the Park Slope Historic District in 1973," Robert B. Tierney, the chairman of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, said in a statement on Thursday, adding, "Just last month the commission continued to build upon their legacy when it expanded the district by adding 600 more buildings".

The New York Times

9 Long a playground for the rich and famous, Barbados continues to build upon and enhance its luxury offerings.

The New York Times - Travel

She is also Curator of Communications and Information Technology at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, where she continues to build upon one of the largest historic technology collections in North America.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Since becoming a postdoctoral fellow in the Yang Lab, I have continued to build upon my previous training in translational research.

Stanford University

Wayne LaPierre, chief executive of the N.R.A., said, "There has been a brick-by-brick restoration of the Second Amendment" over the past 10 years or so at the state level, and he added that his organization continued to build upon it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continue to build upon" when you want to emphasize the incremental nature of progress, suggesting that current efforts are directly linked to and benefit from previous achievements.

Common error

Avoid using "continue to build upon" in situations where simpler alternatives like "develop" or "expand" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to build upon" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating an action to be performed. It commonly serves as a verb phrase within a sentence, describing the ongoing development or enhancement of something previously established. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continue to build upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as indicated by Ludwig. It signifies the intent to further develop something based on previous foundations. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where emphasizing incremental progress and building upon existing achievements is key. Remember to avoid overuse in simpler contexts where more direct alternatives could be more effective. This phrase appears commonly in news, academic, and scientific publications, reflecting its utility in expressing ongoing development and enhancement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

further develop

Emphasizes the act of advancing something to a more advanced stage.

expand on

Highlights the process of adding more detail or information.

elaborate on

Focuses on providing more details and clarification.

build on the foundation

Implies using an existing base for further construction.

advance further

Suggests making additional progress from a certain point.

progress further

Emphasizes movement toward a goal in addition to current stage.

refine further

Focuses on improving something by making small changes.

add to

Simple way to express increasing or supplementing something.

develop further

More formal way to express further development.

augment further

Stresses enhancing something by adding to it.

FAQs

How can I use "continue to build upon" in a sentence?

You can use "continue to build upon" to indicate the process of enhancing something based on previous work. For example, "We will continue to build upon our research to achieve greater results".

What are some alternatives to "continue to build upon"?

Alternatives include "further develop", "expand on", or "elaborate on", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "continue to build upon" or "continue building on"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "continue to build upon" often emphasizes a more formal and deliberate approach, while "continue building on" can sound more conversational. The best choice depends on the tone you want to convey.

What's the difference between "continue to build upon" and "improve"?

"Continue to build upon" suggests adding to existing foundations, while "improve" implies fixing flaws or enhancing existing qualities. They are not interchangeable; the correct choice hinges on the specific action being described.