🗣️ build on
The Mental Picture
Picture an architect adding a second floor or a new wing onto an existing house. You rely on the stability of the original ground floor to hold up the new additions above it.
🎧 How Fluent Speakers Use It
- "I'd like to build on what Marcus said about our marketing strategy..."
- "The new software update builds on the success of last year's release."
⚖️ Sound Natural
| ❌ Stilted / Direct L1 Translation | ✅ Natural Target Expression |
|---|---|
| "I want to add my new idea on top of his good previous idea." | "I'd like to build on his point." |
🧩 Quick Self-Test
Test Yourself
If you build on someone's idea in a meeting, are you agreeing with them or disagreeing with them?
Show Answer
You are agreeing and expanding! You accept their idea as a solid ground floor and add your proposal as the next level up.