it was built upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was built upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the foundation or basis of something, often in a metaphorical sense, indicating that something is developed or established on a particular idea, principle, or structure. Example: "The success of the project was built upon years of research and collaboration among experts in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The occurrence of a new idea within the adjacent possible can be attributed to its preceding ideas it was built upon.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

But at its core, the App Store works so well because it was built upon a foundation that was proven: iTunes.

TechCrunch

The entire Bush administration, as well as the modern Republican movement before it, was built upon exploiting the naiveté and ignorance of its supporters.

Huffington Post

Buddhism was not a completely new phenomenon in the religious history of India; it was built upon the basis of ideas that were already current, both Brahmanic and non-Brahmanic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There's no mention of dogs, or of Avedon, whose version of the couple presents them in a different light, offering one version of the truth — even if it was built upon a lie.

The New York Times

But Northerners, too, would question a deal that now required them to travel a great distance, along terrible roads, to a capital that seemed to be settling into the ooze it was built upon.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Previous knowledge isn't forgotten or cast aside — it is built upon.

The New York Times

It's built upon using the run game to establish balance.

The New York Times

Like the Sony, it is built upon a large APS-C sensor for better low-light photography.

The New York Times - Tech

"The premise it's built upon is happening," she said, adding, "the consumer should continue to expect that their plan is going to be more expensive, and they will have less benefits.

The New York Times

Although it is built upon the findings of phenomenological analyses of the structure of consciousness and of the world in general, it is not concerned with the whole or the transcendental, and thus is not philosophy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was built upon", ensure clarity regarding what 'it' refers to and what the foundation is. This prevents ambiguity and ensures the sentence's meaning is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "it was built upon" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. Overuse of passive voice can make writing sound weak or evasive. Consider rephrasing to emphasize the actor or builder if relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was built upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something has been constructed or developed based on a foundation or prior work. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was built upon" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote that something has been constructed or developed based on a specific foundation or prior work. As noted by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, highlighting its versatility. The phrase emphasizes the importance of the underlying principles or base that supports a concept or structure, indicating a layered development. While generally appropriate, writers should ensure clarity by explicitly stating what 'it' refers to and avoiding overuse of passive voice. Alternatives like "it was founded on" or "it was based on" can be used for nuanced emphasis depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was founded on

Focuses more on the foundational aspect, suggesting a principle or idea served as the basis.

it was based on

Emphasizes the dependence on a specific element for its existence or development.

it was predicated on

Highlights a necessary condition or assumption upon which something is established.

it was constructed on

Focuses on the act of creating something on top of a pre-existing structure or idea.

it was developed from

Suggests an evolution or advancement from an initial state or concept.

it stemmed from

Indicates the origin or source from which something originated or arose.

it arose from

Highlights the emergence or beginning of something from a particular starting point.

it was derived from

Implies that something was obtained or extracted from a specific source.

it originated in

Specifies the place or time where something began or had its initial form.

it was grown out of

Suggests a gradual development from an earlier stage or condition.

FAQs

What does "it was built upon" mean?

The phrase "it was built upon" means that something was constructed or developed based on a particular foundation, idea, or principle. It indicates that the subject relies on something else for its existence or structure.

How can I use "it was built upon" in a sentence?

You can use "it was built upon" to describe how an idea, system, or structure developed. For example, "The success of the company "it was built upon" a strong foundation of customer service."

What can I say instead of "it was built upon"?

You can use alternatives like "it was founded on", "it was based on", or "it was predicated on" depending on the context.

Is "it is built upon" the same as "it was built upon"?

"It is built upon" describes a current or ongoing state, while "it was built upon" describes a past action. For example, "The current system "it is built upon" outdated technology" versus "The current system "it was built upon" the work of previous researchers."