Definition

Verb: - To use something as a foundation or starting point for further development, expansion, or progress. It implies adding new ideas, structures, or layers to an existing base.

Usage

This verb is transitive and typically requires an object (the existing thing being used as a foundation). It is often used in academic, professional, and developmental contexts to describe the process of extending knowledge, arguments, or physical structures. The phrasal verb is commonly used in the passive voice ("to be built upon").

Examples

• Active Voice:
  • Researchers aim to build upon the previous study's findings.
  • The architect plans to build upon the original structure's design.
• Passive Voice:
  • Our new strategy is built upon a thorough market analysis.
  • Modern physics is built upon the work of Newton and Einstein.

Advanced Usage

• "To build upon success": To use a previous achievement as a platform for achieving more.
  • The team hopes to build upon their success in the national championships.
• "To build upon a relationship": To deepen and strengthen a personal or professional connection over time.
  • Trust is essential to build upon a strong partnership.

Variants and Related Words

• Build on: This is a direct synonym and can be used interchangeably with "build upon" in most contexts.
  • We will build on the core principles established last year.
• Foundation (n): The base on which something is built, either literally or figuratively.
• Expand (v): To increase in size, volume, or scope. While similar, "expand" does not inherently imply a pre-existing foundation.

Synonyms

• Develop from: To grow or cause to grow from an initial point.
• Elaborate on: To add more detail or information to a basic idea.
• Extend: To make longer or larger.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Build in/into: To incorporate something as an integral part during construction or planning.
  • Safety features were built into the car's design from the start.
• Build up: 1. To develop or increase something gradually (e.g., ). 2. To praise someone or something highly.
  • They worked to build up their savings over several years.

Related Idioms

• Stand on the shoulders of giants: To make discoveries by understanding the research and work of great thinkers who came before. This idiom conceptually relates to "building upon" past knowledge.
  • As a scientist, I stand on the shoulders of giants who laid the groundwork for my field.

Verb

1. be based on; of theories and claims, for example
   • What's this new evidence based on?