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build on

English translation: explanation

09:44 Jun 26, 2005
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Bus/Financial - Linguistics
English term or phrase: build on
Could you please tell me what does mean ”can be used to build on other kinds of data” in the following sentences:
Intuition alone sometimes can lead people to make bad decisions. Intuition works best when a gut sense can be used to build on other kinds of data.
fareedeh ghassemi (X)
Local time: 13:11
Selected answer:explanation
Explanation:
his point here is to combine two forms of decision making: the traditional data-based format and the riskier intuitive style of following one's gut feeling (I know I should invest $2000 but my gut is sending me warning signals) gut= innard/intestine

to build on = continuing to construct, using an already established foundation (I am going for a master's degree which builds on my past knowledge; he has taken over the investigation and is building on the information which was compiled in the past.)
Selected response from:

RHELLER
United States
Local time: 03:41
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +6in addition to
KathyT
5when a "feeling" can be used to guide the person
airmailrpl
4create
Dina Abdo
4superimpose
David Moore (X)
3explanation
RHELLER


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
create


Explanation:
...

Dina Abdo
Palestine
Local time: 12:41
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic
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34 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
superimpose


Explanation:
It MEANS that other kinds of data can be used as a foundation, maybe for (creating?) one's own SW, but I think the writer has got his (or her) knickers in a twist. To me, it doesn't make sense to write in one sentence that "intuition alone...etc.", and promptly write that "it works best when a gut sense...". To me, "intuition" is the same as a "gut sense", so (s)he has immediately contradicted him or herself.

David Moore (X)
Local time: 11:41
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 28

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Katherine Hodkinson: it isn't clear, but i don't think it's actually contradictory. it's saying that intuition ALONE can be bad, but intuition IN COMBINATION with other factors can be helpful.
2 hrs
  -> You're absolutely right, but the writer should NEVER have split the two sentences; it makes it read as I read it, rather than as you quite correctly point out the writer probably meant.
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +6
in addition to


Explanation:
To rewrite more simply:
Intuition works best when used in addition to other kinds of data.

As suggested by another answer, 'intuition' and a 'gut sense' (or 'gut feeling') are more or less the same thing.

In other words, relying on 'intuition' alone may be risky, but in combination with other kinds of data or input it may add value.

KathyT
Australia
Local time: 19:41
Works in field
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Melanie Nassar
23 mins
  -> Thanks, armaat :-)
agree  Katherine Hodkinson: yes, added value
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Katherine :-)
agree  Ken Cox: literally, 'intuition works best when it is based on other ("objective") data'
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Kenneth :-)
agree  conejo: good answer
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, conejo-san ;-)
agree  Nick Lingris: Yes, here "to build on" means "in addition to", "on top of". However, "other kinds of data" is wrong in the original. Perhaps "available data". Intuition is not a kind of data -- just another way of appraising data.
6 hrs
  -> Yes, you are quite right! Thanks, Nick :-)
agree  Saiwai Translation Services
16 hrs
  -> Thans, STS-san ;-)
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
when a "feeling" can be used to guide the person


Explanation:
"when a gut sense can be used to build" => when a "feeling" can be used to guide the person

airmailrpl
Brazil
Local time: 06:41
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 32
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
explanation


Explanation:
his point here is to combine two forms of decision making: the traditional data-based format and the riskier intuitive style of following one's gut feeling (I know I should invest $2000 but my gut is sending me warning signals) gut= innard/intestine

to build on = continuing to construct, using an already established foundation (I am going for a master's degree which builds on my past knowledge; he has taken over the investigation and is building on the information which was compiled in the past.)

RHELLER
United States
Local time: 03:41
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 59
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