erect upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "erect upon" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where something is being built or established on a particular surface or foundation, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The statue was erected upon the hill, overlooking the valley below."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Immanis in antro bacchatur vates". Or Milton's brilliant snake crossing Paradise, erect upon his circling folds.

The Guardian - Books

Or Milton's brilliant snake crossing Paradise, erect upon his circling folds.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

How can an ideal of life erected upon such murky foundations hold any appeal for us today?

The Guardian

One of these, and an elemental one, is that whatever is erected upon it becomes part of it.

Cornell University

Modern civilization has been erected upon the exploitation of fuels and ore deposits, which are simply geochemical concentrations of useful elements.

Britannica

A vast steel structure, covered in artificial turf, would have been erected, upon which visitors could climb, play and enjoy a new view of London.

The Guardian - Arts

She dressed up her flivver in leaves and boughs, and erected upon it an evangelist's tent of sheets, on which was painted: "Jesus Saves!

The New Yorker

It was during these years that Saint Petersburg was erected upon the marshes of the Baltic coast, and Lisbon resurrected from its earthquake of 1755.

The Guardian

The term 'improvements' includes all buildings, structures, fixtures and fences erected upon or fixed to land, whether title has been acquired to said land or not.

Cornell University

In a mountainous kingdom in what is now southeastern Turkey, there lived in the eighth century B.C. a royal official, Kuttamuwa, who oversaw the completion of an inscribed stone monument, or stele, to be erected upon his death.

The New York Times - Science

"Histories founded upon truth, and wrote in a plain, easie and natural Stile," he once wrote, "are Sirloins of beef plainly dressed, wholesome, hearty and nourishing to a robust and healthy Stomach, but those erected upon fiction, and stuffed with Bombast and fustian phrases, are vapid, windy, unwholesome and adulterated with your damn'd sauces and pickles".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "build upon" or "establish on" for clarity and wider acceptance. While "erect upon" is grammatically correct, its infrequent usage may sound stilted to modern readers.

Common error

Avoid using "erect upon" in informal writing or conversation. Its elevated tone can sound unnatural in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erect upon" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating the action of building or establishing something on a particular base or foundation. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase might feel awkward, however it is grammatically acceptable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "erect upon" is a grammatically correct phrase that means to build or establish something on a foundation. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not commonly used in modern English, which may sound awkward or overly formal. Therefore, while correct, it's often better to opt for more common alternatives such as "build upon" or "establish on" unless a particularly formal or historical tone is desired. Its use is more prevalent in academic and scientific contexts, though still relatively rare overall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build upon

Replaces "erect" with a more common synonym, emphasizing the idea of construction on an existing base.

establish on

Substitutes "erect" with "establish", focusing on the act of founding or creating something on a base.

found upon

Highlights the act of creating a foundation or basis.

construct atop

Uses "construct" and "atop" for a more literal sense of building something on top of something else.

base on

Similar to "found upon" but with a stronger emphasis on using something as a starting point.

set upon

Emphasizes the act of placing something firmly on a foundation.

place on top of

A more straightforward and less formal way of saying something is built on something else.

install upon

Implies a careful and deliberate placement or fixing of something.

raise on

Focuses on the action of lifting or elevating while building.

create over

Suggests building or developing something above an existing structure or concept.

FAQs

What does "erect upon" mean?

The phrase "erect upon" means to build, construct, or establish something on top of or based on something else. It suggests a deliberate act of building or placing something on a foundation.

What are some alternatives to "erect upon"?

You can use alternatives like "build upon", "establish on", or "construct atop" depending on the context.

Is "erect upon" grammatically correct?

Yes, "erect upon" is grammatically correct, but it's not a commonly used phrase in modern English. It might sound overly formal or archaic.

In what contexts is "erect upon" most appropriate?

The phrase "erect upon" might be appropriate in formal writing, historical contexts, or when aiming for a more elevated or literary tone. However, for general communication, simpler alternatives are often preferred.