to build on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to build on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the act of developing or expanding upon an idea, concept, or foundation that already exists. Example: "In our next meeting, we will build on the ideas discussed last week to create a more comprehensive plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We're all trying to build on something that was leveled".

The New York Times - Arts

Yashin said it was a bit strange being in Ottawa, but added, "I have moved to New York, moved into my new house, and am hoping to build on something with this team".

The New York Times - Sports

Hence, it is advantageous to build on something already existing in order to pursue meaningful collaboration to enhance local business development derived from the mining industry.

Journal of Organization Design

Gatcha! has been developed to build on something new: it is a distribution platform which aims to make games social, distribute them on the web, and entertain and bring people together through a new way of communicating.

TechCrunch

I believe it's easier to build on something than it is to create it from scratch.

Huffington Post

Too often our relationships masquerade as real, and we spend countless months trying to build on something to get us to the next phase, only to discover that we're trapped by a faux love that's actually going nowhere.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I've learned I can build on something to make it valuable for my family and others.

Huffington Post

It's time we build on something".

The New York Times - Sports

"What will be fascinating for UK audiences is looking at the beginning, how that dream was always going to be built on something quite… gross".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But ultimately, he wishes that kind of understanding and commitment to action could be built on something other than black bodies.

Vice

We figured if you take a small step and legislate something, then that's something to build on.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to build on something", ensure the 'something' is clearly defined to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to build on something" without clearly specifying what the 'something' refers to. This can lead to confusion and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to build on something" functions as an infinitive phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI points out, the expression denotes enhancing a base, idea, or project, which aligns with examples showing how to extend existing results.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to build on something" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of developing or expanding upon an existing base. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. The phrase implies leveraging existing foundations for improvement or growth. To ensure clarity, it's important to clearly specify what the "something" refers to. Alternatives such as "to expand on something" or "to elaborate on something" can be used to add nuance. Overall, this phrase offers a versatile way to communicate progressive development in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to expand on something

Focuses on increasing detail or scope.

to elaborate on something

Emphasizes providing more information and clarification.

to develop from something

Highlights the growth and evolution from a starting point.

to advance from something

Suggests progress and improvement from a prior state.

to proceed from something

Implies a logical sequence or continuation.

to take something further

Indicates an intention to deepen or extend an existing idea.

to cultivate something from

Suggests careful nurturing and development from a base.

to augment something with

Focuses on adding to or enhancing an existing element.

to enhance something building

Highlights the improvement and enrichment of something.

to extrapolate from something

Emphasizes inferring new insights or predictions from existing data.

FAQs

How can I use "to build on something" in a sentence?

You can use "to build on something" to indicate the act of developing or expanding an idea, concept, or foundation that already exists. For example, "We need to build on the initial success of the project to achieve long-term sustainability".

What are some alternatives to "to build on something"?

Alternatives include "to expand on something", "to elaborate on something", or "to develop from something", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to build on something" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to show that you are not starting from scratch but rather using existing work, ideas, or resources as a base for further development or improvement.

What's the difference between "to build on something" and "to start from scratch"?

"To build on something" implies leveraging existing work or foundations, while "to start from scratch" means beginning entirely anew without any prior base.