have built up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have built up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of accumulating or increasing something over time, such as skills, resources, or relationships. Example: "Over the years, I have built up a strong network of professional contacts in my industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have built up our own community.

The Guardian

While destroying one myth, the filmmakers have built up another.

The New Yorker

China's firms have built up a nasty currency mismatch.

The Economist

Rivers draining seaward have built up extensive plains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As you might imagine, quite a number have built up".

The New York Times - Tech

'Over the years I have built up the access.

The Guardian

These guys are used to it and they have built up tolerance to the contact".

The New York Times - Sports

The Bhuttos, an aristocratic family, have built up their political base in Sindh over many generations.

The Economist

They argue that they have built up lots of reserves to keep them going.

The Economist

Most media moguls, as they have built up their empires, have tried to exercise political power.

The New Yorker

While we have built up our expertise in conference tables, our other skill sets have atrophied.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have built up", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being accumulated or developed over time. For example, "They have built up a strong reputation for quality."

Common error

Avoid using "have built up" to describe something that happened instantly. This phrase implies a gradual process, so it's incorrect to say "They have built up a solution overnight" when it was a rapid development.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have built up" functions as a transitive verb phrase in the perfect tense. It indicates that the action of building up has been completed at some point in the past, with ongoing relevance to the present. This is supported by Ludwig AI, showcasing examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have built up" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase indicating the gradual accumulation or development of something over time. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions grammatically as a transitive verb phrase in the perfect tense and carries a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse contexts. Its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Business highlights its broad applicability. To ensure clarity, it's important to use the phrase in contexts where the gradual accumulation is evident, avoiding instantaneous events. Consider alternatives like "have accumulated" or "have developed" to fine-tune the specific meaning. Pay attention to singular vs. plural agreement with "has" versus "have".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have accumulated

Focuses on the quantitative aspect of gathering something together; emphasizes the result of the process rather than the process itself.

have developed

Emphasizes the gradual growth and evolution of something, rather than just its accumulation.

have established

Suggests a more formal and permanent creation or setting up of something, often an organization or system.

have fostered

Implies nurturing and promoting the growth of something, often in a supportive environment.

have cultivated

Similar to 'fostered', but often used in the context of skills, relationships, or personal qualities, with an emphasis on careful and deliberate effort.

have amassed

Similar to "have accumulated" but implies gathering a large quantity, especially of wealth or power.

have generated

Focuses on the creation or production of something, often from a specific source or process.

have constructed

Emphasizes the deliberate act of building or putting something together, often from component parts.

have compiled

Suggests gathering information or data from various sources into a single collection.

have created

Focuses solely on the act of bringing something into existence, without necessarily implying gradual growth or accumulation.

FAQs

How can I use "have built up" in a sentence?

You can use "have built up" to describe the gradual accumulation of something over time, like "The company "has built up" a large customer base" or "I "have built up" my skills over the years."

What can I say instead of "have built up"?

You can use alternatives like "have accumulated", "have developed", or "have established" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has built up" instead of "have built up"?

Yes, "has built up" is correct when the subject is singular (e.g., "He "has built up" a business"), while "have built up" is used with plural subjects or 'I', 'you', 'we', and 'they' (e.g., "They "have built up" a reputation").

What's the difference between "have built up" and "have created"?

"Have built up" implies a gradual process of accumulation or development, while "have created" suggests bringing something into existence more immediately. For example, you ""have built up"" savings over time, but you "have created" a new product.