Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

build on sand

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.34 in modern English

Syllables: build on sand
IPA

15

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

1

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To put something in an unstable position by failing to give it a secure foundation.

Example Sentences

"Loveless marriages often end in divorce because they are built on sand."

Etymology

From the Parable of the Wise and the Foolish Builders in Matthew 7:24–27.

Inflected Forms

builds on sand (present, singular) building on sand (participle, present) built on sand (participle, past) built on sand (past)

Phrases

house of cards ill-founded

Frequently Paired Words

house of cards ill-founded quicksand

Questions

What does build on sand mean?: To put something in an unstable position by failing to give it a secure foundation.
Where does build on sand come from?: From the Parable of the Wise and the Foolish Builders in Matthew 7:24–27.

How to pronounce build on sand

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “build on sand”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “build on sand” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.