develop on

USAGE SUMMARY

"develop on" is not a correct phrase in written English.
To use a phrase that means the same thing, you might say "expand upon." For example, you might say, "The speaker expanded upon her original idea by adding new evidence to support her argument."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interestingly, all the patients who did not develop ON had either kidney disease or lupus.

Acta Orthopaedica

"We got to develop on the floodplain.

The New Yorker

They want to develop on the job".

The New York Times

At the time, commercially develop on the site was controversial.

The New Yorker

What names did the Mitchell investigation develop on its own?

The New York Times - Sports

And then I began to develop on that".

The New York Times - Arts

This is not a man who invited melanoma to develop on his forehead.

The New York Times

I sit, sip and watch the nightlife develop on the square outside.

The Guardian - Travel

Visibility could be just 100 metres and ice could develop on the roads, Sillitoe added.

The Guardian

Soils develop on the highest parts of these beaches, supporting dense stands of dark green trees.

The Guardian

Schiaparelli should not be that – it should develop on its own and be quietly beautiful".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey the idea of developing an idea, skill, or project, consider using alternatives like "expand upon", "elaborate on", or "build upon" for clearer and more grammatically sound communication.

Common error

The phrase "develop on" is often used incorrectly where "develop" should be followed by a different preposition or used intransitively. Avoid using "on" when a different preposition better fits the context, such as "develop in", "develop into", or when no preposition is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop on" functions as a phrasal verb, but its usage is often grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI suggests that it is not a correct phrase in written English. Instead, alternatives should be used, such as "expand upon."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "develop on" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable. Its intended meaning often revolves around expansion, elaboration, or building upon something. For clearer and more accurate communication, consider using alternatives such as "expand upon", "elaborate on", or "build upon". Although prevalent in news, science, and wiki sources, using these alternatives ensures greater grammatical correctness and reduces potential for misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expand upon

Focuses on providing greater detail or explanation.

elaborate on

Similar to expand, but often implies a more detailed and structured explanation.

build upon

Suggests using something as a foundation to create something larger or more complex.

advance on

Implies progress or improvement based on a prior state.

improve on

Focuses specifically on making something better.

work on

Indicates ongoing effort to refine or perfect something.

enlarge on

Suggests increasing the scope or extent of something.

augment with

Implies adding something to enhance or complete something else.

supplement with

Similar to augment, but suggests filling in gaps or deficiencies.

amplify on

Focuses on increasing the impact or significance of something.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "develop" with a preposition?

The correct preposition depends on the context. Use "develop in" for locations or environments, "develop into" for transformations, or avoid a preposition altogether when "develop" acts intransitively, such as in "skills develop over time".

What are some alternatives to "develop on" when discussing ideas?

Consider using alternatives like "expand upon", "elaborate on", or "build upon" to convey a more grammatically correct and clearer meaning.

Is "develop on" ever considered grammatically correct?

While frequently found in various sources, "develop on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's advisable to use more precise and accepted alternatives.

How does the meaning change when using "develop in" versus "develop into"?

"Develop in" typically refers to the environment or context where something grows or progresses, whereas "develop into" describes a transformation or evolution into a different state or form.