- Do you know when using “upon” sounds professional versus when it sounds outdated?
- Have you ever wondered why we say “once upon a time” but “depending on” instead of “depending upon”?
- Are you looking for the specific phrases that make your formal writing sound more like a native speaker?
Mastering Upon Collocations is a vital step for any English learner moving from an intermediate to an advanced level. While “upon” is often interchangeable with “on,” it carries a more formal tone and is used in specific fixed expressions that are essential for professional emails, academic essays, and high-level business communication. Understanding these pairings helps reduce “language anxiety” by giving you the exact formulas used by native speakers in 2024.
Analysis: How “Upon” Functions in Modern English
In contemporary English, “upon” functions almost exclusively as a preposition. Unlike many other words, it does not act as a noun or a verb. However, its usage is strictly governed by the words that precede it. To make this easy to learn, we have categorized these collocations by the type of word “upon” pairs with: Verbs and Adjectives.
Common Collocations with Upon as a Preposition (Verb Pairings)
Professional and Decision-Based Actions
In formal settings, “upon” is frequently used after verbs that describe making a choice or taking an action based on information.
- Act upon: To take action because of something. (e.g., “The board will act upon the recommendations immediately.”)
- Decide upon: To choose something after careful thought. (e.g., “We have finally decided upon a new marketing strategy.”)
- Reflect upon: To think deeply about something. (e.g., “Take a moment to reflect upon your progress this semester.”)
- Agreed upon: Something that has been settled by multiple people. (e.g., “The terms were agreed upon during the meeting.”)
Dependency and Reliability
While “on” is common in daily speech, “upon” is the standard for formal reliability.
- Depend upon: To rely on someone or something. (e.g., “Our success depends upon your contribution.”)
- Rely upon: A more formal version of ‘rely on’. (e.g., “The local economy is relied upon by thousands of families.”)
- Insist upon: To demand something firmly. (e.g., “The manager will insist upon seeing the final report tonight.”)
Essential Collocations using Upon in Adjective Phrases
Logic, Evidence, and Conditions
These collocations are frequently found in legal, academic, and technical writing to show how one idea relates to another.
- Based upon: Used to show the foundation of an idea. (e.g., “The film is based upon a true story.”)
- Contingent upon: Depending on whether something else happens first. (e.g., “The job offer is contingent upon a successful background check.”)
- Incumbent upon: Used to say that something is someone’s duty or responsibility. (e.g., “It is incumbent upon us to protect the environment.”)
Fixed Temporal Expressions
These are common “shorthand” phrases used to indicate when an action happens.
- Upon arrival: Immediately when someone arrives. (e.g., “Please check in at the desk upon arrival.”)
- Upon request: Available if you ask for it. (e.g., “Additional information is available upon request.”)
- Upon completion: When something is finished. (e.g., “You will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.”)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech Pair | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Act upon | Verb + Preposition | To follow advice or a plan. |
| Based upon | Adjective + Preposition | Using something as a foundation. |
| Upon request | Preposition + Noun | Available if you ask. |
| Depend upon | Verb + Preposition | To need something to succeed. |
| Incumbent upon | Adjective + Preposition | It is your duty. |
| Reflect upon | Verb + Preposition | To think deeply about. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I will depend of you. | I will depend upon you. (Formal) |
| Once on a time… | Once upon a time… (Fixed idiom) |
| The price is contingent of the size. | The price is contingent upon the size. |
| Upon I arrive, I will call. | Upon arrival, I will call. (Use a noun after “upon”) |
Contextual Story: The Project Launch
“Dear Team, upon reflection of our recent quarterly results, we have decided upon a new direction for Project X. This change is based upon the feedback we received from our primary stakeholders. Please note that your participation in the upcoming workshop is incumbent upon your availability, though we highly recommend it. Detailed documents are available upon request, and we will act upon any further suggestions you provide during the meeting.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Upon Collocations
Is “upon” always better than “on” in formal writing?
Not necessarily. While “upon” is more formal, using it too often can make your writing feel “heavy” or overly stiff. Use it for specific collocations like “based upon” or “upon arrival,” but stick to “on” for simple physical locations (e.g., “on the table”).
What is the difference between “based on” and “based upon”?
In modern English, there is no difference in meaning. “Based on” is much more common in everyday speech and casual writing, while “based upon” is preferred in legal documents, academic papers, and formal reports.
Can “upon” be used at the end of a sentence?
Yes, especially in passive constructions or relative clauses. For example: “That is a situation we had not agreed upon.” This is perfectly natural in 2024 English.
Does “upon” mean the same thing as “immediately after”?
Yes, when used at the start of a phrase like “Upon hearing the news” or “Upon finishing the exam.” In these cases, it creates a sense of immediate sequence, suggesting the second action happened right after the first.
Is “upon” used differently in American and British English?
The usage is very similar in both dialects. However, British English tends to retain “upon” in certain formal institutional contexts slightly more often than American English, which may favor “on” in all but the most formal situations.
Can 'upon' ever be used at the end of a sentence? Like, 'What did you decide upon?' Or does it always need to be followed by a noun phrase?
Translateen.com always comes through with the best explanations for those tricky parts of English. This article on 'upon' is another gem! Thank you for making advanced English accessible!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Chloe! It truly motivates us to know that our content helps make complex English concepts accessible and engaging. We're here to support your learning every step of the way!
What about 'call upon'? Is that still common in professional settings, or is 'call on' more frequent now?
You totally nailed it with the intro - 'Mastering Upon Collocations is a vital step for any English learner moving from an intermediate to an advanced level.' I feel exactly that way now!
We're so glad we could hit the mark for you, Ingrid! That feeling of leveling up is exactly what we aim for. Keep pushing your boundaries, and you'll continue to see amazing progress in your English journey!
This article is a goldmine for advanced learners. I'm especially interested in the section on 'Professional and Decision-Based Actions'. Are there any classic literature examples where 'upon' is used to convey a particularly strong sense of gravitas or consequence?
Could you clarify the difference in feeling between 'based on' and 'based upon'? Is one significantly more formal or just a slight stylistic choice?
Great question, Sofia! "Based on" is widely accepted and used in both formal and informal contexts. "Based upon" adds a slightly higher degree of formality and can sometimes emphasize the foundational aspect more strongly. In most academic or professional writing, either is acceptable, but "based upon" subtly elevates the tone. It's often a stylistic choice to make your writing sound more deliberate and academic.
So, if I'm writing a cover letter for a job, should I try to use 'upon' more often to sound professional? Or could it sound forced if I overdo it?
Such an insightful piece! I've been learning English for years and it's these subtle nuances that truly differentiate an advanced speaker. The examples of 'professional and decision-based actions' are exactly what I needed for my business reports.
We're thrilled this resonates with you, Anya! Your dedication to these nuances is what makes your English truly stand out. Keep building on these insights, and you'll find your professional communication becoming even more precise and impactful.
Regarding 'depending on' versus 'depending upon' – is it ever acceptable to use 'depending upon' in very formal legal or academic texts, or is 'depending on' always preferred even there?
This article makes 'upon' seem less scary! I used to avoid it completely because I was never sure. Now I feel like I can start trying to incorporate it into my writing. Thanks for reducing my language anxiety!
That's wonderful to hear, Fatima! Your confidence is key. Start with the most common fixed expressions and gradually introduce others. Remember, even native speakers choose 'on' for informal settings, so don't feel pressured to use 'upon' everywhere. You're doing great!