that was built upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was built upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been developed or constructed based on a particular foundation or idea. Example: "The theory that was built upon previous research has gained significant traction in the scientific community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Mr. Petty said that two-wheelers also played a role in advancing "the concept of mass production that was built upon by Henry Ford, a former bicycle mechanic".

The New York Times - Arts

And others might have lost hope a few hours later when the Mets squandered a one-run lead against the Arizona Diamondbacks that was built upon the fine pitching of Hisanori Takahashi, who gave up one run in six innings while striking out 10.

The New York Times

You see, the game is something that is present in all work situations and is comprised of entries into an unspoken rule book that was built upon the needs of the folks who originally set up the game.

Science Magazine

She created a professional program that was built upon technical and lengthy training and high standards.

Wikipedia

I will stand tall to defend my country that was built upon principles to accept and tolerate people of all races, genders, orientations, and religious backgrounds.

Huffington Post

And yet, it's a defining issue for him, and one that was built upon years of anti-LGBT attacks by Pence as a radio host and commentator and as a member of Congress, where he even proposed cutting funding for AIDS and diverting the money to "ex-gay" therapy programs.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The structure of PvcA demonstrates a novel enzyme architecture that is built upon a Rossmann fold.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Equipment purchasing costs were estimated by means of cost functions that were built upon vendors quotations.

Energy

"And God bless them in their quest for peace, but a peace that is built upon security".

The New York Times

The result is a comprehensive, integrated, settlement upgrading methodology that is built upon a GIS-based spatial data management framework.

Habitat International

His background has influenced a practice that is built upon the making of objects and acts of drawings.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract concepts, use "that was built upon" to illustrate how new ideas extend from existing knowledge or theories.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice constructions like "that was built upon" in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. Consider rephrasing to emphasize the actor or agent responsible for the building.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was built upon" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun to provide additional information about it. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English. This clause indicates that something has been developed or constructed based on a particular foundation or idea, providing context and detail.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was built upon" functions as a relative clause, indicating that something is developed or based on a particular foundation. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase sees frequent use in scientific, academic, and journalistic contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When writing, consider alternatives like "that was founded on" or "that was based on" for variety, and be mindful of overusing passive voice. Understanding these nuances will ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was founded on

Focuses on the establishment of something on a base.

that was based on

Emphasizes the reliance on a specific element as a starting point.

that was constructed upon

Highlights the deliberate process of building something on an existing structure or idea.

that was predicated on

Implies a logical dependence or assumption.

that stemmed from

Suggests an origin or source from which something developed.

that derived from

Indicates the extraction or obtaining of something from a source.

that grew out of

Highlights a natural development or evolution from a starting point.

that evolved from

Focuses on the transformation and development over time.

that originated from

Stresses the beginning or birthplace of something.

that was developed from

Emphasizes the process of improvement and expansion from an initial state.

FAQs

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

You can use "that was built upon" to describe something that is developed or based on a foundation, as in, "The new theory "that was built upon" previous research has gained significant traction."

What are some alternatives to "that was built upon"?

Alternatives include "that was founded on", "that was based on", or "that was constructed upon" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "that was built upon"?

While "that was built upon" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. Consider rephrasing the sentence to emphasize the actor or agent responsible for the building process.

What's the difference between "that was built upon" and "that is built upon"?

"That was built upon" refers to something that has already been developed or constructed on a foundation, while "that is built upon" refers to something currently being developed or generally based on a foundation. The choice depends on the tense of the sentence.