On coming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on coming" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used as a participle phrase to indicate an action or event that takes place before the main verb in a sentence. For example: "On coming home from work, I realized I had forgotten my keys." Here, "on coming home from work" indicates that the action of realizing something took place before arriving at home. Another example: "On coming to the conclusion, we decided to change our strategy." In this sentence, "on coming to the conclusion" suggests that the decision to change strategies was made after reaching a conclusion. In both cases, "on coming" is used to express a sequence of events. It can also be used to indicate an unexpected or sudden action. For instance, "On coming across a beautiful garden, we decided to take a walk." Here, "on coming across" implies that the decision to take a walk was made spontaneously upon encountering the garden.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Madrid kept on coming.

The Guardian - Sport

The surge of visitors kept on coming.

Independent

Outsiders and other disbelievers kept on coming.

The New York Times

Still the rebels kept on coming.

The New York Times

And kept on coming.

The Guardian - Film

"She kept on coming.

The New York Times - Sports

The periods kept on coming.

The Guardian

But Chelsea kept on coming.

The Guardian - Sport

But it kept on coming.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Hands-on coming shortly.

TechCrunch

Hands-on coming soon.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "On coming" to clearly indicate the temporal relationship between two actions, ensuring the action introduced by "on coming" precedes the main verb's action. For example, "On coming to the realization, I changed my plans."

Common error

Avoid using "On coming" when the sequence of events is unclear or reversed. Ensure the action described by "coming" logically precedes the main action. For instance, don't say "On coming to a decision, I researched the topic" if the research happened first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on coming" typically functions as a prepositional phrase or adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the timing or condition under which an action occurs. It introduces a circumstance that precedes the main action, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on coming" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase that clearly establishes a temporal relationship between events, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in news and formal writing, serving to provide context and sequence actions. While alternatives like "upon arrival" or "after arriving" exist, "on coming" maintains a distinct, slightly formal tone. Remember to ensure the sequence of events is logical and clear to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Upon arrival

Emphasizes the act of reaching a destination or point in time.

After arriving

Highlights the sequence of events, specifying that something happens after the arrival.

Following arrival

Similar to "after arriving" but sounds more formal and structured.

As we approached

Focuses on the process of getting closer to a place or situation.

When nearing

Indicates the proximity to a location or event.

At the point of arrival

More elaborate way of saying after reaching a destination.

Reaching the destination

Highlights completion of the journey or goal to get somewhere.

Approaching

Expresses the action of moving closer, without specifying the arrival point.

With the approach of

Focuses on the imminence of an event or location.

As we drew near

Poetic and slightly old-fashioned way of saying to approach

FAQs

How do I properly use "on coming" in a sentence?

Use "on coming" to indicate an action that occurs before another action. For instance, "On coming home, I realized I had forgotten my keys." It sets up a clear sequence of events.

What are some alternatives to using "on coming"?

You can use alternatives such as "upon arrival", "after arriving", or "following arrival" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "on coming" and "upon coming"?

"On coming" and "upon coming" are largely interchangeable, with "upon coming" sounding slightly more formal or archaic. Both indicate that an action occurs immediately after another.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "on coming"?

The phrase "on coming" is suitable for various contexts, particularly in formal writing where you want to clearly establish a sequence of events. It is often found in news articles, essays, and other forms of written communication. It can also be found in informal context, but less often than in formal ones.