break up upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break up upon" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where something ceases or ends at a specific moment or event, but it is not standard. Example: "The meeting will break up upon the conclusion of the final presentation."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I mean, geez, think about it: We built a jetliner that didn't break up upon impact and the engines separated cleanly from the wings as designed.

Forbes

So it seems unlikely that the PatchDoc' structure would break up upon a longer MD simulation.

Biology Direct

These clusters are known to break up upon maturation and the isolated nematocytes subsequently migrate toward the tentacles (Campbell and Marcum 1980).

Genome Biology and Evolution

Because chain colonies break up upon pipetting and because some of the mutants formed chains with very large clusters of cells, we attempted to visualize the chain phenotypes while manipulating the cells as little as possible.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But the one who is broken-up upon-- the leavee"--is upon-- therprised when the annoupon-- theomes.

Huffington Post

The shuttle program has been grounded since the Columbia broke up upon re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003, killing its crew of seven.

The New York Times

Asked for more detail on this figure, they say that it "includes ongoing costs… so it could only be calculated and broken up upon completion".

The Guardian - Arts

The aircraft broke up upon impact, and was destroyed.

Wikipedia

It is possible that the outer material holds the two cell types together and breaks up upon a light touch.

BMC Plant Biology

This indicates that, at pH 5.0, FP molecules self-assemble with considerable strength, but are broken up upon incubating with TMD in the bilayer.

BMC Biology

"People break up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "break up upon", ensure that the context clearly indicates that something is ceasing or disintegrating precisely at the moment of a specific event. Consider if a more common alternative like "end" or "cease" would be clearer.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "break up upon" in informal or casual writing. It can sound overly formal or awkward in contexts where simpler alternatives would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "the party will break up upon the arrival of the police", consider "the party will end when the police arrive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break up upon" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the timing of an event’s cessation or disintegration. Ludwig examples show that it is often used in formal or technical contexts, although it can sound somewhat unnatural in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break up upon" is used to describe the ending or disintegration of something at a specific moment or event. As Ludwig AI notes, while grammatically correct, it is not commonly used and may sound awkward. Its primary function is to specify timing, and it is more suited to formal or technical contexts. Simpler alternatives like "end upon" or restructuring the sentence might provide greater clarity in many cases. Given its infrequent usage, writers should consider the context carefully before choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end upon

A more general way of saying something comes to a stop at a certain point.

dissolve upon

Focuses more on the act of dissolving or disintegrating into constituent parts at a specific time.

cease upon

Similar to "end upon", but with a slightly more formal tone.

disband upon

Specifically implies a formal group or organization ceasing to exist.

disintegrate upon

Emphasizes the breaking apart or decomposition of something when something happens.

terminate upon

Suggests a formal ending or conclusion, often related to contracts or agreements.

fall apart upon

Suggests a more sudden and potentially catastrophic failure or disintegration.

conclude upon

Indicates the ending or finalizing of something at a specific moment.

shatter upon

Implies a forceful and sudden breaking into many pieces at a specific moment.

crumble upon

Indicates a gradual disintegration or decay happening at a particular moment.

FAQs

What does "break up upon" mean?

The phrase "break up upon" means to cease or disintegrate at a specific moment or event. It suggests that something ends or falls apart as a direct result of something else happening.

Is it correct to use "break up upon" in a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct but not very common. As Ludwig AI explains, while not incorrect, the phrasing can sound awkward or overly formal and might be better replaced with more common alternatives depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "break up upon"?

Alternatives include "end upon", "cease upon", "dissolve upon", or simply revising the sentence to use a more common phrasing like "end when" or "disintegrate as". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "break up upon"?

It is most appropriate in formal or technical contexts where a precise indication of timing is important. However, in most cases, simpler and more common alternatives are preferable.