was built upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was built upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is based on or developed from a particular foundation or principle. Example: "The theory was built upon years of research and experimentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"2Face" was built upon a clever idea.

The New York Times - Arts

Ohlin's work was built upon that of Heckscher.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Early concept plan for the site, half of which was built upon.

Cornell University

Nonetheless, the boom was built upon overestimated credit levels and imaginary assets.

The Guardian - Opinion

But neutrality — and the pretext it was built upon — could not survive the end of war.

The Washington Post

The new model was built upon the Helmholtz analysis of two connected resonators.

Combustion and Flame

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The health reforms can be built upon.

The Economist

Conservative morality is built upon all them.

The Economist

Those relationships can be built upon.

The New York Times

Firefox is built upon the Mozilla base.

The New York Times

It is what our economy is built upon.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was built upon", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what the foundation or basis is. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the foundational element or principle immediately after the phrase. Example: "The new theory was built upon the findings of previous studies."

Common error

Avoid using "was built upon" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the reader understands what the subject is built upon by providing specific details and avoiding generalizations. A sentence like "Progress was built upon it" lacks clarity without specifying what 'it' refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was built upon" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject's development or existence is dependent on a foundation or previous entity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Academia

11%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was built upon" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is based on a prior foundation or element. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's applicable across various contexts, with a particular prevalence in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the basis of the subject. While highly similar alternatives like "was based on" and "was founded on" exist, "was built upon" suggests a gradual and layered development. Avoiding vagueness and ensuring a clear antecedent are key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was founded on

Indicates a principle, idea, or fact that serves as the basis for something.

was based on

Suggests a derivation or origin from a particular source or model.

was predicated on

Implies a necessary condition or assumption that something relies upon.

was constructed on

Emphasizes the process of assembling something from constituent parts, highlighting the underlying base.

was erected on

Similar to "constructed on" but often suggests a more formal or monumental establishment.

was developed from

Focuses on the evolutionary aspect of building upon a prior state.

was derived from

Highlights the extraction of something from an original source.

was rooted in

Suggests a deep and fundamental connection to a particular origin or tradition.

was created from

Focuses on the act of making something new by using existing elements.

owes its existence to

Acknowledges a direct dependence on a prior factor or element.

FAQs

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

Use "was built upon" to show that something is based on or developed from something else. For example, "The study "was built upon" previous research."

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

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

Is it better to use "was based on" or "was built upon"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""was built upon"" suggests a more gradual and layered development, whereas "was based on" simply indicates a foundation.

What is the difference between "was built upon" and "was created from"?

""was built upon"" implies an existing structure that is added to or improved, while "was created from" suggests something entirely new is made using existing materials.