Upon touching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Upon touching" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or reaction that occurs immediately after making contact with something. Example: "Upon touching the surface, the material began to change color."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Upon touching down in Takotna, we heard some race officials discussing another accident, farther up the trail.

The New Yorker

Upon touching in a personal best of 4 11.29, he hopped out of the pool as if he had just taken a bath.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon touching these, the prey become entrapped by sticky mucilage which prevents their progress or escape.

Wikipedia

The plane was surrounded by fire trucks and emergency vehicles upon touching down in Colorado.

The New York Times

One commando held in his hands the game ball, which he presented to an official upon touching down.

The New Yorker

The usual symptoms of orchitis are high fever, sudden pain in the testicle, nausea, vomiting, swelling, tightness, and tenderness of the gland upon touching.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It has to be balanced and well prepared, not in the mood of improvisation, because we are touching upon jobs, we are touching upon sensitive issues".

BBC

There exist many well written literatures [ 24, 25] touching upon this subject.

Biology Direct

Disputes with Renata Scotto, Joan Sutherland and Eva Marton are touched upon as well.

The New York Times - Books

That's not much touched upon," said Mrs. Keith.

The New York Times

Most of the elements touched upon appear in Fig.  1.

Human Reproduction Update

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Upon touching" to clearly indicate that an action or reaction occurs immediately following physical contact. This can enhance the precision and flow of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "Upon touching" in extremely casual contexts. While generally acceptable, simpler alternatives like "When touched" might be more appropriate for informal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Upon touching" functions as a prepositional phrase, acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the timing of an action, specifying that something happens immediately after physical contact is made. Ludwig confirms this usage with multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Upon touching" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase that indicates an event occurring immediately after physical contact. While it finds frequent usage in diverse contexts ranging from news reports and scientific articles to encyclopedic entries and wikis, it maintains a more neutral to formal tone. According to Ludwig, the key function of "Upon touching" is to establish temporal sequencing, clarifying the direct consequence of a physical interaction. Although generally correct, remember to adjust its formality based on your specific audience and writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On contact with

Emphasizes the moment of contact as the trigger for an event.

When touched

A more direct and simple alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

After making contact with

Slightly more verbose, highlighting the action of making contact.

As soon as one touches

Highlights the immediacy of the action following the touch.

The moment of touching

Focuses on the precise instant of physical contact.

In contact with

Focuses on the state of touching.

By touching

Indicates that something occurs by means of touching.

Through tactile contact

Emphasizes the sensory aspect of the contact.

Following physical contact

A more formal way of expressing the sequence of events.

With the application of touch

Focuses on the act of applying touch as a condition.

FAQs

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

The phrase "Upon touching" introduces an action that immediately follows making physical contact with something. For example, "Upon touching the hot stove, she recoiled in pain."

What are some alternatives to "Upon touching"?

You can use alternatives like "on contact with", "when touched", or "after making contact with" depending on the context.

Is "Upon touching" formal or informal?

"Upon touching" leans towards the formal side, suitable for academic, news, or professional writing. In very informal contexts, consider using a simpler phrase like "When touched".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "Upon touching"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Upon touching" functions as a prepositional phrase that can introduce a clause, indicating the condition that triggers the main action.