Build Vs Built, Similarities And How To Use Them Correctly

In English, we have the words “build” and “built.” These words are related to each other. When you see them in writing, you can tell only a letter is different from each other, and you may wonder that they are related, aren’t they?

Both terms derive from the same verb. “Build” is an irregular verb that means “to construct something.” Whenever you want to use the past tense of this verb, you use the word “Built.” Additionally, the term “built” can be an adjective to describe something created in a certain way.

It may be hard to tell when we need to use “build” or “built.” No need to worry. Here we will take a look at these two words and how to use them.

Understanding The Word Build

Etymology

The word “build” has its origins in German. The first English reference to the term is the Old English word “Byldan.” People used this term to refer to the construction of a house.

Meaning

To build: means to construct something with materials. It also means to add intensity or strength to something.

“Built” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “to build.” This difference occurs because “to build” is an irregular verb.

“Build” as a noun refers to someone’s or something’s physique.

Synonyms

Here are some verbs we can use as synonyms of the word “Build.”

• Construct
• Fabricate
• Raise
• Improve
• Enhance
• Structure
• Shape
• Proportions
• Manufacture
• Assemble
• Develop
• Produce

Build Vs. Built: Pronunciation

The pronunciation of these two words is very similar. The main difference is the last sound.

You will start with your lips together, pushing air from your throat to make the /b/ sound. The vowel sound in these words is the short /ɪ/, the same sound found in the word “bit.” Then you move to a dark /l/ sound, the tip of your tongue must be touching your upper-jaw teeth, and the sound must come from your throat.

Now, the final sound would be the /d/ sound for “build” or /t/ sound for “built,” depending on which one you are using.

In both words, there’s only one vowel sound. The “u” is a silent letter.

Correct Use Of The Word “Build”

After you’ve learned the meaning of the word, now it’s time to learn how to use it in conversations.

“Build” As A Verb

You will primarily use the verb build when you talk about the construction of something. People use this verb to talk about creating civil engineering structures and any other physical construction that will hold people in it. Some examples of things you could build are:

• Houses
• Bridges
• Ships
• Rockets
• PC

Also, people can build abstract concepts. Now we will see some of these concepts:

• Relationships

A person can build a relationship with another person. You can use this term to talk about emotional connections, such as romantic relationships, although one can also build a friendship.

• Reputation

Your reputation is another thing you can build. The way other people perceive you can change over time.

• Resume

When you are looking for a job, the first thing you need to do is build a resume. You create a summary of all of your information, job experience, education, and skills.

• Professional careers

A person builds a professional career when they continue to grow their profile. People do this by taking additional courses and becoming experts in their fields.

• Rapport

Building rapport is a common term used in customer service. It refers to creating a small relationship with the customer.

• Contact network

One can also build a contact network when we develop an excellent professional relationship with people. A contact network can help you get access to job offers, investments, funding for your start-up ideas, etc.

• Case

People build a case when they gather information and facts that sustain their theories. This expression is common in legal arguments.

• Beliefs and feelings

People can build trust, confidence, and faith.

“Build” As A Noun

As a noun, the word “build” refers to the composition or method of composition.

• Software

A build is a fully-working software. We use this expression to indicate the finished work of a software developer.

Example Sentences Using The Word “Build”

Here are some sample sentences on how to use the word “Build.”

• As you can see, there is more than one way to build a great team.
• We planted the trees in which birds build their nests.
• We must go to a new place far away and build schools, houses, and churches and make new cities.
• We will need to build the structure adhering to the basic principles of marketing.
• We can build machines to do extraordinary tasks.
• I don’t like John’s attitude; that’s not the way you build relationships.
• He told his lawyer all he knew, but the prosecutor couldn’t build a strong case, and the grand jury found him guilty.
• Our development team worked hard to release this month’s build, and now the QA team says they found a lot of bugs in the code.

Correct Use Of The Word “Built”

As we already mentioned, you will use the word “built” when discussing things constructed in the past. Let’s see some examples of how people use this term in your conversations.

Example Sentences Using The Word “Built”

• Henry is a great teacher, but he has built a reputation of his own.
• After I visited Egypt and saw the great pyramids, I wondered how they were built?
• I’m so sad they are about to demolish my grandma’s house, a structure that my great-grandfather built in the 1900s.

Phrasal Verbs Using “Build”

Phrasal verbs are a language resource very similar to idioms. They usually combine a verb and a preposition to switch to another meaning. Now, we will see some phrasal verbs using the verb “build.”

Build In/Into

To have an element incorporated from the beginning. This phrasal verb can be separated, and you can see people usually use it in passive voice. Let’s see some examples:

1. Designers have been working hard to build sound equalizers in these new headphones.
2. The construction of my new house is not going as expected. I thought the crew knew they had to build the electric lines into the walls.

Build Up

People use “build-up” to talk about the evolution of something, especially a business. Some examples of sentences are:

1. A sense of fraternity has been building up ever since both parties solved their conflicts.
2. It took George more than 15 years to build up a solid business, and now the pandemic has hit him hard.

Build Around

When something originates using elements from another thing, some examples are:

1. He built all his hopes around the success of this project.
2. Most people built their crypto investments around the information they saw on Twitter.

Build On

People use “build on” when they refer to doing something based on their previous achievements. Some examples of sentences are:

1. Our ancestors created a family business; my generation is building on our legacy.
2. All the information you are presenting builds on Mary’s research in social sciences.

Other Expressions Using The Word “Build”

Here are other expressions derived from the word “build.”

Bodybuilding

Bodybuilding is the development of muscle tissue using weight training for appreciative purposes. People following this discipline usually take exercise very seriously. Their main goal is to reduce their body fat percentages.

Misbuild

It is a verb people use to express something that was executed poorly, and it is not practical.

Built-in

It is an adjective you can use to describe something included in something. For example, “My new headphones have built-in sound controls.”

Build-up

We use this noun to talk about things that add up slowly over time until they become a big issue. For example, “You forgot to pay your loan on time, now you have to face this build-up interest, and your credit score is affected.

Build Bridges

It means to create a good relationship between parties, especially when there has been a conflict. For example, “The best part about being a counselor is that you can help people to build bridges.”

Build up someone’s hopes

It means to create big expectations about something that has not happened yet.

Final Thoughts On Build Vs. Built

“Build” and “Built” are not different from each other. You will use “build” whenever you mean something is being constructed or developed.

People build many things, not only physical structures. There are other abstract concepts you can “build,” such as your professional career, relationships, feelings, and so on.

Many other English expressions use the word “build.” We hope this article helps you to understand and add this term to your vocabulary.