excitement builds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excitement builds" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or event where emotions are escalating, particularly in a positive or anticipatory way. For example: - In the days leading up to the big game, excitement builds among the team and their fans. - As the music starts to play, excitement builds in the crowd as they wait for the band to take the stage. - With each passing minute, excitement builds as the clock ticks down to midnight on New Year's Eve. - As the final votes are tallied, excitement builds among the candidates' supporters, eager to see who will be declared the winner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

People are excited and that excitement builds.

The Guardian - Music

Excitement builds.

The Economist

The excitement builds. . .

The Washington Post

The Europeans are everywhere, the excitement builds.

Independent

In many places, he said, excitement builds slowly.

The New York Times - Arts

For Shea Ralph, the excitement builds with each passing game.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

If you're excited to be around your guy and only feel your excitement build after you spend more time together, then chances are, you have a crush.

WikiHow

As the excitement built, speed-switching channels became mandatory.

The Guardian - Sport

The night drew near and my excitement built.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Excitement built during Nomo's first season, as his performance soon started coming around with his delivery.

The New York Times - Sports

I could see the excitement build in the eyes of the children, and their bodies fill with hope.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific time-markers or events (e.g., "as the deadline approaches") to ground the emotion in a concrete context

Common error

Writers sometimes add "up" to create "excitement builds up". While not strictly wrong, it is often redundant in professional writing. Stick to the leaner "excitement builds" for a more direct and impactful style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excitement builds" functions as a subject followed by an intransitive verb. In this construction, the abstract noun "excitement" performs the action of "building" (increasing in intensity) without requiring a direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this is a standard way to describe a developing psychological or atmospheric state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "excitement builds" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a palpable increase in anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across prestigious media outlets, where it serves as a powerful tool for narrative pacing. Whether used in sports journalism, entertainment news or corporate announcements, it remains a reliable choice for professional writers. It is most effective when describing the lead-up to a major event, and while similar to "anticipation grows", it carries a more energetic and vibrant connotation. Writers should feel confident using it to add dynamism to their prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excitement is building

Uses the continuous tense to emphasize that the process is happening right now.

anticipation grows

Focuses on the state of waiting for a specific event rather than the raw emotion of excitement.

tension mounts

Often used when the atmosphere is becoming more serious or nervous rather than purely joyful.

enthusiasm swells

Suggests a broader, more collective increase in support or interest.

expectation increases

A more formal, analytical way to describe the rise in what people believe will happen.

suspense builds

Specific to situations involving mystery, uncertainty or a delayed reveal.

thrill escalates

Highlights a sharper, perhaps more physical sense of sudden excitement.

buzz intensifies

Uses more informal, modern language to describe social or media chatter.

energy rises

Focuses on the atmospheric or physical vibe of a crowd or environment.

fever pitch is reached

An idiomatic way to describe excitement that has reached its maximum level.

FAQs

How to use "excitement builds" in a sentence?

You can use it to show emotional escalation, such as: "As the premiere date draws near, "excitement builds" among the cast and crew."

What can I say instead of "excitement builds"?

Depending on the tone, you could use "anticipation grows" for a more formal feel or "buzz intensifies" for a more modern, social context.

Is it correct to say "excitement builds" or "excitement is building"?

Both are correct. "excitement builds" often describes a general truth or a sequence of events, while "excitement is building" emphasizes that the growth is happening at this very moment.

What is the difference between "excitement builds" and "tension builds"?

While both describe escalation, "excitement builds" is typically positive and joyful, whereas "tension builds" suggests stress, anxiety or conflict.