be supported upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be supported upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is resting or relying on another object or structure. Example: "The roof must be supported upon strong beams to ensure its stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The indestructible prerogatives of mankind," he wrote, "have no need to be supported upon the sandy foundation of a fiction".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The carrying capacity (K), maximum size of the population that can be supported upon the available resources, reflects the expansion ability of a species [3], [4].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The jian, which has a simple silhouette, is supported upon a narrow ring base.

Britannica

Each was supported upon fill taken from nearby areas of the shrine and served to enlarge the area available for ceremonies such as the sacrificial meal.

University of Chicago

This observation is supported upon closer examination of their genomic loci, where all of the Euryarchaeal yvaE homologues lacked the presence of yvaD a poorly conserved SMR that is commonly located in the same putative operon among Bacillus species [ 26].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Web integration and local area network (LAN) database synchronization can be supported depending upon the database engine used.

Computers & Geosciences

If all of us diligently working to transform our criminal justice system want our policy reforms to endure, we must ensure people--and their families--are supported upon their return to lead healthy, happy, and fulfilled lives.

Huffington Post

The existence of a corresponding "state of dependence" upon those being supported.

WikiHow

The least a grateful nation should do is support the troops upon their return.

The New York Times

Coelomata, on the other hand, is only supported upon the inclusion of a distantly related outgroup, which suggests that this topology is systematically generated by a LBA artifact.

Genome Biology and Evolution

The y-axis shows the expected number of relay set 1 users who are successfully supported upon averaging over 1,000 realizations.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be supported upon", ensure the context clearly indicates what is providing the support. Clarity is key in passive constructions.

Common error

Avoid using "be supported upon" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The argument is supported upon evidence", consider "Evidence supports the argument".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be supported upon" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that a subject receives support from an object. It reflects a state of reliance, as seen in Ludwig's examples where theories or structures depend on underlying elements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be supported upon" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to express that something relies on a foundation or underlying support. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English, though somewhat formal and less common than alternatives like "be based on" or "rest upon". Its usage is primarily seen in scientific and academic contexts, emphasizing a clear dependency or justification. When writing, ensure the context warrants its formal tone and clearly indicates what provides the support to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rest upon

Implies something is physically or figuratively supported by something else.

be dependent on

Directly expresses reliance on something for existence or function.

be based on

Indicates a foundation or starting point, similar to something being supported.

be sustained by

Focuses on the continuous support needed to maintain something.

be reliant on

Emphasizes dependence, akin to something needing support.

be underpinned by

Suggests a foundational support, often unseen but essential.

hinge upon

Highlights the crucial dependency of something on another factor.

be contingent on

Highlights a condition for something to happen, implying support is needed for that condition.

be grounded in

Indicates a solid base or foundation, providing support.

be predicated on

Expresses that something is affirmed or based on a particular idea or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "be supported upon" in a sentence?

You can use "be supported upon" to indicate that something relies on or is upheld by something else, such as "The theory is supported upon experimental data".

What is a good alternative to "be supported upon"?

Alternatives include "be based on", "rest upon", or "be dependent on", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "be supported by" or "be supported upon"?

"Be supported by" is generally more common and versatile. "Be supported upon" can sound more formal or archaic, so consider your audience and context.

What's the difference between "be supported upon" and "be based on"?

"Be supported upon" implies a direct physical or logical reliance, while "be based on" suggests a foundation or starting point. The nuance depends on whether the support is actively upholding something versus serving as a fundamental element.