Upon reaching

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon reaching" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific point in time after a particular event has occurred. For example, "Upon reaching the summit, we stopped to take in the stunning panoramic views."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Upon reaching shore, you're mugged and the treasure hoisted.

The New York Times

Upon reaching the threesome, she focussed her annoyance on them.

The New Yorker

Upon reaching my new cell, I immediately spotted the problem.

The New Yorker

Upon reaching his destination he wrote in his diary: "St.

The New York Times - Arts

Upon reaching the ground the roots branch and establish themselves.

Britannica

Upon reaching near confluence, cells were trypsinized and frozen.

Nature

Upon reaching the summit, they began to perform joint calisthenics.

The New York Times - Magazine

Upon reaching adulthood, Sam was told he had to pay the full tax.

The Guardian

Upon reaching the front of the line, each student was asked a question.

The New Yorker

Upon reaching the coast, a firefight broke out between the SEALs and Shabaab fighters.

The New Yorker

Upon reaching the launch, he carefully pulled himself aboard, taking the oars with him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon reaching" to clearly indicate the moment an action follows immediately after arriving at a specific location or achieving a particular state. For example, "Upon reaching the summit, the climbers celebrated their success."

Common error

Avoid using "upon reaching" in overly complex sentences where clarity is compromised. Overly long sentences with multiple clauses can make it difficult for the reader to understand the intended sequence of events. Keep sentences concise and focused to ensure effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon reaching" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a point in time immediately following the act of arriving. It sets the stage for an event or action that occurs directly after someone or something arrives at a specific location or achieves a particular state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

39%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon reaching" is a prepositional phrase used to denote the immediate aftermath of arriving at a specific location or attaining a particular condition. It's considered grammatically correct and Ludwig confirms its standard usage. While "upon reaching" is versatile, it leans toward formal contexts, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in News & Media and Science publications. When using "upon reaching", ensure that the subsequent action follows directly from the act of arriving for clarity and impact. Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's effectiveness in establishing a clear temporal sequence, making it a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reaching

Shorter, more direct version of the phrase, omitting 'upon'.

on arrival

Focuses specifically on the act of arriving at a destination.

when arriving

Highlights the timing of an action concurrent with the act of arriving.

after arriving

Emphasizes the temporal sequence where something happens after the arrival.

as soon as one reaches

Emphasizes the immediacy of the subsequent event.

at the point of arrival

More formal and emphasizes the precise moment of arrival.

on attaining

Focuses on achieving or attaining a specific goal or state.

after getting to

More informal and emphasizes the completion of the journey.

once at

Indicates that something happens as soon as someone is at a particular location.

having arrived

Uses a perfect participle to emphasize the completed action of arriving.

FAQs

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

Use "upon reaching" to describe an action that occurs immediately after arriving at a place or achieving a certain condition. For example: "Upon reaching the destination, we unpacked our bags."

What are some alternatives to "upon reaching"?

You can use alternatives like "on arrival", "after arriving", or "when arriving", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "upon reaching" or "after reaching"?

"Upon reaching" is generally considered more formal than "after reaching". Use "upon reaching" in formal writing or speeches where a more sophisticated tone is desired.

What's the difference between "upon reaching" and "reaching"?

"Upon reaching" emphasizes the immediate consequence of arrival, whereas "reaching" simply indicates the act of arriving. The inclusion of "upon" adds a sense of formality and direct sequence.