Upon graduating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Upon graduating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action or event that occurs immediately after someone has completed their graduation. Example: "Upon graduating, she received several job offers from top companies in her field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Upon graduating St.

The New York Times

Upon graduating from West Point, McMaster joined the armored cavalry.

The New Yorker

Upon graduating in 1958, Stella moved to New York City.

The Guardian - Arts

Upon graduating he joined THC Systems where he and his brother Eugene revolutionized the tabletop industry.

The New York Times

Upon graduating from high school, he began working at the Isaacs Center.

The New York Times

Upon graduating Mr. Fleischer moved in the late 1990s to San Francisco and bused tables.

The New York Times

Upon graduating from the academy, he entered Harvard University in 1833.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy, he served in the army from 1945 to 1946.

The New York Times

Upon graduating from university, he got a job at Time magazine before meeting his German wife.

Independent

Upon graduating with the class of '67, Mr. White volunteered to go to Vietnam.

The New York Times

Upon graduating from college, my brother and sister joined AmeriCorps and Teach for America.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add variety to your writing, use synonyms like "After graduation" or "Following graduation", especially when the same phrase appears multiple times in close proximity.

Common error

Avoid using "Upon graduating" when referring to events that occur significantly later. This phrase implies a direct and prompt sequence, so reserve it for actions closely tied to the graduation date.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Upon graduating" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating the timing of an action. As Ludwig shows, it sets the temporal context for an event occurring immediately after graduation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Upon graduating" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate an event or action that happens shortly after graduation. According to Ludwig, it functions as a prepositional phrase, establishing a clear temporal relationship. While versatile, it's best reserved for actions closely tied to graduation to maintain accuracy. Alternative phrases like "after graduation" or "following graduation" can add variety to your writing. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its widespread acceptability and utility in diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On graduating

A more concise phrasing, omitting "upon" for brevity without changing the core meaning.

After graduation

Replaces the preposition "upon" with "after", simplifying the phrase while maintaining the same temporal relationship.

Following graduation

Uses "following" instead of "upon", offering a slightly more formal tone while keeping the meaning equivalent.

Subsequent to graduating

Employs more formal language, substituting "upon" with "subsequent to" for a more elevated style.

Once graduated

Uses "once" to indicate the completion of graduation, shifting the grammatical structure slightly.

Having graduated

Employs a participial phrase to convey the same timing, highlighting the completed action of graduating.

After earning a degree

Rephrases to focus on the act of earning the degree, rather than just the graduation event itself.

With degree in hand

More figurative, emphasizing the possession of the degree as the starting point for subsequent actions.

Post-graduation

A shortened, almost informal way of expressing the time period after graduation.

Upon completion of studies

Broadens the scope to encompass the entire period of studies, not just the graduation ceremony.

FAQs

How can I use "Upon graduating" in a sentence?

Use "Upon graduating" to describe an action or event that occurs directly after someone graduates. For example, "Upon graduating, he started his own business."

What can I say instead of "Upon graduating"?

You can use alternatives like "after graduation", "following graduation", or "on graduating" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Upon graduate" instead of "Upon graduating"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. "Upon" requires a gerund (graduating) or a noun phrase (graduation). "Upon graduate" is missing the necessary grammatical form.

What's the difference between "Upon graduating" and "After graduating"?

While similar, "Upon graduating" suggests a more immediate sequence than "after graduating". "Upon" implies the action happened very shortly after the act of graduating.