be upon you

USAGE SUMMARY

"be upon you" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, and it is usually used as a blessing for good luck or health.
For example, you can say "May the Lord be upon you on your journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

PEACE BE UPON YOU: The Story of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Coexistence, by Zachary Karabell.

The New York Times

"Peace be upon you, Mary," some prayed.

The New York Times

"Peace be upon you," he began.

The New York Times - Magazine

Assalaamu alaykum – peace be upon you [APPLAUSE].

The Guardian - Opinion

"Peace be upon you," said Disha.

The Guardian

And may God's peace be upon you...

The Guardian

"Peace be upon you, blessings be upon you," Sheikha Naeema says in a soothing tone.

The Guardian

Peace be upon you, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

The New York Times

With God as our guide, peace be upon you".

The Guardian

"So I went over to the group, said to them Salaam Alaikum, peace be upon you.

The Guardian

"May peace, mercy, and the blessings of God be upon you".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be upon you" in formal settings or when conveying a sense of respect, especially in religious contexts or traditional greetings, such as "Peace be upon you."

Common error

Avoid using "be upon you" in casual conversations or informal settings, as it may sound overly formal or out of place. Opt for more relaxed greetings like "hello" or "hi" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be upon you" primarily functions as a blessing or a formal greeting, often seen in religious contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, and the provided examples from news articles and religious texts support this function. It often appears as part of a longer phrase like "Peace be upon you".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be upon you" functions as a formal expression of blessing or greeting, often used in religious contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly found in formal settings. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in informal situations to avoid sounding out of place. The primary contexts for its usage are News & Media, Formal & Business writing, and Wiki articles. Related phrases offer similar sentiments, but "be upon you" maintains a distinct air of tradition and respect. Remember that it's more appropriate in formal settings and should be avoided in casual conversation. The phrase enjoys high frequency across a variety of authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

peace be with you

A very common and closely related expression, often used interchangeably in similar contexts, focusing on peace rather than a general blessing.

may you be blessed

Expresses a wish for blessings, is more straightforward and less ceremonial than "be upon you".

may blessings be on you

Replaces the more direct "be upon you" with a gentler, more explicit mention of blessings.

may grace be upon you

Substitutes "blessings" with "grace", offering a slightly different nuance, often used in a religious context.

may goodness attend you

Focuses on the presence of goodness, replacing the concept of something 'being upon' someone.

divine favor rest on you

More formal and emphasizes the divine aspect of the blessing, using "divine favor" instead of a simple blessing.

may fortune smile on you

Shifts the focus to good luck and positive outcomes, moving away from a purely religious or spiritual blessing.

good tidings await

Conveys the anticipation of positive news or events, shifting away from a direct blessing.

the time is near

Implies an event is approaching, losing the element of blessing.

the day approaches

Similar to 'the time is near' but emphasizes the arrival of a specific day, differing greatly in implication and excluding blessing.

FAQs

How is "be upon you" typically used in a sentence?

It's commonly used in greetings or blessings, such as "Peace "be with you"" or "May God's blessings "be upon you"".

What's a more modern alternative to "be upon you"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "bless you", "have a good day", or simply "take care" as more contemporary alternatives.

Is "be upon you" considered formal or informal?

It leans towards formal, especially when used in religious greetings. In everyday conversation, it might sound archaic or overly ceremonious.

When is it appropriate to use "be upon you"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey respect or solemnity, such as in religious ceremonies, formal correspondence, or when addressing someone of high rank or importance.