to build upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"to build upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of advancing or extending something that has been said or done before. For example: "We had a successful launch last week, now we need to build upon this momentum in order to maximize our results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This recognition inspires me to build upon and strengthen our bond between our art and community".

Los Angeles Times

"We need to build upon it".

The New York Times

We have to build upon it".

The Guardian

It is now time to build upon these shared goals.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have it, and it's cool to build upon.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unlike Bush, he has no national consensus to build upon.

The New York Times

We need to build upon what we know works.

The New York Times

"I propose to build upon the founders' Congressional model in several ways," he informs his readers.

The New York Times - Books

He said companies were being encouraged to build upon the raw sequence.

The New York Times

Mr. Maliki said Iraq needed to build upon a "strategic relationship on the economic front".

The New York Times

Quarterback Kellen Moore hopes to build upon his impressive freshman season.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to build upon" to clearly indicate that you are adding to or developing a pre-existing idea, concept, or foundation. This helps maintain continuity and shows a clear progression of thought.

Common error

Don't use "to build upon" when you mean to start something entirely new. This phrase implies a foundation already exists; using it otherwise can confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to build upon" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to express the idea of advancing or extending something that has already been established.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to build upon" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey the idea of expanding or developing something that already exists. As noted by Ludwig, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. The phrase functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the intent to continue, enhance, or improve upon an existing foundation. While it can be used in both neutral and formal registers, it is particularly common in professional and academic settings, making it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit. When using this phrase, make sure to indicate a clear connection to a pre-existing idea or concept to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to expand on

Focuses more on adding details or elaborating on an existing idea or concept.

to develop further

Emphasizes the process of growth and advancement from a current state.

to extend

Highlights the act of making something longer or more comprehensive.

to enhance

Implies improving the quality, value, or attractiveness of something.

to augment

Suggests adding to something in order to increase its size, number, or strength.

to amplify

Focuses on increasing the intensity or impact of something.

to elaborate on

Highlights the act of providing more details and explanations.

to cultivate

Emphasizes the careful nurturing and development of something over time.

to capitalize on

Focuses on taking advantage of a situation or asset to achieve a desired outcome.

to leverage

Suggests using something to its maximum advantage, often for strategic purposes.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "to build upon" in a sentence?

Use "to build upon" to show that you are expanding or improving an existing idea, strategy, or foundation. For example, "We will "to build upon" the success of our initial campaign by launching a new phase next quarter".

What are some alternatives to "to build upon"?

You can use alternatives like "to expand on", "to develop further", or "to extend" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "to build on" or "to build upon"?

Both "to build on" and ""to build upon"" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. However, ""to build upon"" might sound slightly more formal.

In what contexts is "to build upon" most commonly used?

"To build upon" is commonly used in academic writing, business reports, and strategic planning documents to indicate the advancement of ideas and projects. It is also frequently found in news articles discussing policy and development.