I hit upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I hit upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has discovered or come across something unexpectedly or by chance. Example: "While researching for my project, I hit upon a fascinating article that changed my perspective on the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

But then I hit upon a remedy.

The New Yorker

He is getting married next month, and I think I hit upon the perfect gift.

The New York Times

So I hit upon the idea that men like this would wear striped blazers.

The Guardian

I hit upon the idea of reading science fiction short stories — pithy, easily digestible page turners, or so I thought.

The New York Times - Books

So it was really through working with him that I hit upon the idea of travelling with Roger Winter, who's a longtime advocated for the south [of Sudan].

The New Yorker

But actually: I hit upon "Illustratrix" 'cause technically it just means "lady illustrator" and I thought it would be interesting and memorable.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

And she'd obviously hit upon I think there was one time when I kicked out and more than a few occasions where she'd twitched a nerve that obviously.

BMJ Open

I think I have hit upon something that will allow me not to use the pedals".

The New York Times

Nevertheless, with the ripening of years, I think I have hit upon an answer to the questions that have troubled me for so long.

The New Yorker

Modest Mouse In Virginia Woolf's short story "The Mark on the Wall", a stream of consciousness exploration on the history behind an unexplained mark on a wall in a house, is the passage: "I wish I could hit upon a pleasant track of thought, a track indirectly reflecting credit upon myself, for those are the pleasantest thoughts, and very frequent even in the minds of modest, mouse-coloured people".

Independent

I finally hit upon the fact that I called Tino.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I hit upon" to convey a sense of sudden discovery or realization, adding a touch of serendipity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I hit upon" in highly formal or academic writing where a more direct or technical term like "discovered" or "identified" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I hit upon" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the speaker's act of discovering or realizing something, often unexpectedly. Ludwig's examples show it is used to describe finding solutions, ideas, or information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I hit upon" is a useful way to describe an instance of sudden discovery or realization. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and appears frequently in News & Media contexts. While it is appropriate in most writing, be mindful of the register, as more formal settings may call for alternatives like "I discovered" or "I identified". Be sure to harness this phrase to show unexpected discoveries in your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I discovered

Emphasizes finding something unexpectedly.

I came across

Highlights finding something by chance.

I stumbled upon

Suggests an accidental discovery.

I realized

Focuses on understanding something suddenly.

I found

A simple term for discovery.

I worked out

Focuses on coming to a solution after thought and consideration.

I conceived of

Highlights the start of an idea.

I ascertained

Emphasizes establishing with certainty.

I devised

Suggests thinking up of a plan.

I unearthed

Implies digging for a solution.

FAQs

What does "I hit upon" mean?

The phrase "I hit upon" means you unexpectedly discovered or realized something. It suggests a chance encounter with an idea, solution, or piece of information.

How can I use "I hit upon" in a sentence?

You can use "I hit upon" when you want to express that you found something unexpectedly. For example, "While researching, "I hit upon" a new theory."

What can I say instead of "I hit upon"?

You can use alternatives like "I discovered", "I realized", or "I came across", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "I hit upon" formal or informal?

"I hit upon" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in many contexts, but it may be less suitable for highly formal or academic writing. In such cases, "I identified" or "I determined" might be more appropriate.