innovating on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "innovating on" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to introduce new and creative ideas or methods related to something. Example: The company is constantly innovating on their product, adding new features to stay ahead of competitors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"We are innovating on all kinds of levels and one of those is finance".

The Guardian

A broad array of companies are quietly innovating on top of AI technologies — and integrating the resulting innovations into services today.

TechCrunch

We are constantly innovating on the Web and in the newspaper.

The New York Times

There's just so far you can go with innovating on that platform".

The New York Times

He has been innovating on the same site for 25 years, taking advantage of each new reform that offered greater autonomy.

The Economist

However, even though most of the studio now works on its flagship title, Hagewood still remembers the lesson he learned at Epic: to keep innovating on popular concepts.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Fresh ideas are scarce right now in financial markets, but a New York hedge fund has closed a deal that took an innovation – and innovated on it.

The New York Times

Any member of the tradition, not least Homer himself, may, moreover, have chosen to archaize on one occasion, to innovate on another.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Any innovator in the world who wants to innovate on a 4G scale has to come to the U.S. right now and that's a big deal.

The New Yorker

"The world is filled with companies that are marvellously innovative from a technical point of view, but completely unable to innovate on a business model".

The Economist

"Procter & Gamble has products that were innovated on the InnoCentive network".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "innovating on", ensure you clearly specify what you are innovating on. This provides context and makes your writing more precise. For instance, "innovating on existing platforms" is clearer than simply "innovating".

Common error

Avoid using "innovating on" simply to sound modern or tech-savvy. Make sure the innovation is genuine and substantive, not just a superficial change. Otherwise, it can come across as cliché and weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "innovating on" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating the action of introducing new methods or ideas in relation to something already existing. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Tech

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "innovating on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, particularly in business, technology and news contexts. It describes the act of making improvements or creating new developments in relation to something already in existence. While versatile, it's essential to specify the object of innovation for clarity and to avoid overuse as a mere buzzword. Related phrases such as "improving upon" or "building upon" can offer nuanced alternatives. Remembering these guidelines will contribute to clearer and more impactful writing when discussing innovation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improving upon

Highlights the act of making something better than it already is.

developing further

Focuses on the continuous improvement and expansion of an existing idea or product.

building upon

Suggests using an existing foundation to create something new and more complex.

advancing

Emphasizes progress and pushing boundaries within a specific field or area.

pioneering

Implies being the first to explore or develop something new.

enhancing

Focuses on increasing the quality, value, or extent of something.

reimagining

Focuses on creating a new mental image or concept of something.

modifying

Implies making changes to improve or adapt something.

creating novel approaches

Emphasizes the invention of new and original methods.

transforming

Highlights a significant change in form or appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "innovating on" in a sentence?

You can use "innovating on" to describe the act of improving or creating something new based on an existing idea or platform. For example, "The company is "innovating on" its existing product line to attract new customers".

What are some alternatives to "innovating on"?

Alternatives include "improving upon", "developing further", or "building upon", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "innovating on" or should I use a different preposition?

"Innovating on" is a correct and commonly used phrase. While other prepositions might sometimes work, "on" is generally the most appropriate choice when referring to innovating in relation to a specific platform, technology, or concept.

What's the difference between "innovating on" and simply "innovating"?

"Innovating" generally refers to the broad act of introducing new ideas or methods. "Innovating on", however, specifically implies that you are creating or improving something based on a pre-existing foundation. You can say that you are "innovating", but be "innovating on" an existing base.