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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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did not build

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not build" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something failed to construct or create something in the past. Example: "Despite the resources available, the team did not build the prototype on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A tension did not build.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Interest did not build quickly.

News & Media

The New Yorker

What it did not build was profitability.

News & Media

The New York Times

The Vedic Indians did not build great empires or monuments.

But in the end the audience did not build.

News & Media

The New York Times

This administration did not build a true international coalition.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Mari Carmen did not build this collection," Hite told me.

He was born there; he did not build it.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Cynics did not build this country," he said campaigning Tuesday.

News & Media

The New York Times

But Soon-Shiong did not build a fortune being naive.

News & Media

The Guardian

For instance, men did not build taller avatars than did women.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not build", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not constructed or created. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

While "did not build" is versatile, avoid using it repetitively in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "failed to construct" or "did not create" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not build" functions as a negative verb phrase, indicating the absence of an action (building) in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it modifying nouns, expressing what was not created or constructed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did not build" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the absence of building, creating, or establishing something in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it is a common phrase, varying your language with synonyms like "failed to construct" or "did not create" can enhance your writing. Remembering this nuance ensures clarity and conciseness in your communication.

FAQs

How can I use "did not build" in a sentence?

"Did not build" is used to express the absence of construction or creation. For example: "The company did not build the factory on schedule."

What are some alternatives to "did not build"?

You can use alternatives such as "failed to construct", "did not create", or "did not establish" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "did not built"?

No, "did not built" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "did not build", where "build" is the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "did not build" and "has not built"?

"Did not build" refers to a specific point in the past, while "has not built" implies that something has not been built up to the present moment. For example: "They did not build the bridge last year" versus "They have not built the bridge yet".

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: