Upon graduation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Upon graduation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the time or event that occurs immediately after someone completes their studies or earns a degree. Example: "Upon graduation, she plans to travel abroad to gain new experiences before starting her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Upon graduation, Schatz returned to Hawaii.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon graduation, a 60-month period begins.

The New York Times

Upon graduation, the family was broken up.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon graduation, Soufan went to the New York bureau.

The New Yorker

Upon graduation, she stayed in Williamsburg and became intentionally homeless.

The New Yorker

Upon graduation, he worked for Nehring Brothers , Inc

The New York Times

Upon graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. Field Artillery.

The New York Times

Upon graduation was commissioned as an Ensign, U.S. Navy.

The New York Times

Upon graduation in 1819 Mann chose law as a career.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon graduation, a Barnard student receives her degree from Columbia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon graduation, their practice is limited to these areas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upon graduation", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what action or event immediately follows the graduation. This helps maintain a clear chronological order.

Common error

Avoid using "upon graduation" when referring to events that occur significantly later. "Upon" implies a direct and immediate consequence or action, not something that happens months or years afterward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon graduation" functions as a prepositional phrase, acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the timing of an action or event in relation to the completion of an academic program. Ludwig examples show it setting the stage for what happens next.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon graduation" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate an event or action that takes place immediately after the completion of an academic program. As affirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very commonly used across diverse sources, especially in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. Remember to use it when specifying a direct and immediate consequence of graduation, and consider alternatives like "after graduating" or "following graduation" for a slightly different emphasis. Be mindful of the temporal implication of "upon", suggesting immediacy rather than a distant future event. By avoiding ambiguity and ensuring a clear chronological sequence, you can effectively use this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

After graduating

Directly indicates the time period following graduation, simpler phrasing.

Following graduation

Similar to 'after graduating', focuses on the subsequent period.

Post-graduation

More concise, using 'post-' as a prefix to denote what comes after graduation.

On graduating

Uses 'on' to specify the point in time when someone graduates.

Subsequent to graduation

More formal and emphasizes the sequence of events.

After completion of studies

More elaborate, specifying 'completion of studies' instead of just 'graduation'.

At the time of graduation

Emphasizes the specific moment of graduation as a reference point.

With degree in hand

Figurative language expressing accomplishment and readiness for next steps.

Having graduated

Uses a perfect participle to indicate the completed action of graduating.

As a graduate

Shifts the focus to the person's status as a graduate.

FAQs

How to use "upon graduation" in a sentence?

Use "upon graduation" to indicate an event or action that occurs immediately after someone finishes their studies. For example, "Upon graduation, she plans to travel the world".

What can I say instead of "upon graduation"?

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

Is it correct to say 'upon graduating' instead of "upon graduation"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "upon graduation" is more common and emphasizes the event itself. "Upon graduating" focuses more on the action of graduating, which might be suitable in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "upon graduation" and 'after graduation'?

"Upon graduation" implies a more immediate sequence of events compared to "after graduation". "After" can encompass a broader timeframe, while "upon" suggests something that happens very shortly after the graduation ceremony or completion of studies.