design upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "design upon" is not commonly used in written English and may not be correct in most contexts.
It could potentially be used in a creative or poetic context, but it is not standard. Example: "She decided to design upon the canvas of her imagination, creating a world of vibrant colors and shapes."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

This writing is the DESIGN upon the record cover.

The Guardian - Music

Imitation vase carpets exist, together with carpets in which the surface has been reknotted in some new design upon an old Kermān double-warped foundation.

Britannica

"We hate poetry that has a palpable design upon us," said John Keats in one of his testy moments, "and if we do not agree, seems to put its hand in its breeches pocket".

Independent

Attention focuses upon the role of year of first registration since this allows the influence of developments in car design upon occupant casualty numbers to be evaluated.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

According to Cruikshank's catalogue raisonne by Albert Cohn, Mayhew's text was originally issued in eight parts in green wrappers, February-September 1851, and on completion in light blue stamped cloth, with a gilt design upon the spin.

Princeton University

In this paper we argue that the burgeoning empirical debate over scope sensitivity within contingent valuation studies is fundamentally incomplete in that it has neglected a systematic examination of certain effects of study design upon observed scope sensitivity.

Journal of Environmental Economics and Management

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

XML imposes the requirement of specifying data in an inherently hierarchical structure and provides generic parsers that do not require any re-design upon language extensions or redefinitions.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

All topographical paintings have designs upon us.

Independent

We hate poetry that has designs upon us, Keats said.

The New Yorker

The 1908 revolution provided an opportunity for several powers to press their designs upon the empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Pre-Raphaelites so often seem to have designs upon us in their paintings.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, prefer clearer alternatives like "design based on" or "design influenced by" to ensure precise communication. While "design upon" isn't strictly incorrect, it can sound awkward to modern readers.

Common error

Avoid using "design upon" excessively in formal reports or business communications; its less common usage may detract from your writing's clarity and professionalism. Opt for more conventional phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "design upon" functions as a verb phrase where "design" acts as a verb and "upon" as a preposition indicating a basis or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, while present in various sources, it is less common than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

27%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "design upon" conveys that a design is based or influenced by something. Although Ludwig AI marks the phrase as not standard, its usage occurs across various fields, including science, news media, and academia. While grammatically acceptable, alternatives like "design based on" or "design influenced by" are generally preferred for clarity and broader acceptance. When writing, consider the context and audience; in formal settings, opting for more common phrases ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

design based on

Replaces the preposition "upon" with "based on", indicating a foundation or starting point for the design.

base the design on

Similar to "design based on", but with a slightly different emphasis on the act of basing the design.

design relying on

Emphasizes the dependence of the design on certain principles or elements.

design influenced by

Highlights the factors that have shaped or affected the design process and outcome.

develop according to a design

Focuses on the process of developing something in alignment with a pre-existing design.

patterned after a design

Suggests that the design closely follows or imitates another design.

model the design on

Implies that the design is created as a model or representation of something else.

style according to a design

Focuses on the styling or aesthetic aspects of the design.

formulate a design from

Emphasizes the act of creating or formulating a design using specific inputs or ideas.

construct a design using

Implies a building or construction process where a design is employed.

FAQs

What does "design upon" mean?

The phrase "design upon" generally means to create a design based on something or influenced by something. It suggests that the design relies on certain principles or elements. However, it's not a standard phrase, and alternatives like "design based on" are often preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "design upon"?

While not incorrect, "design upon" is less common. It might be suitable in creative or technical writing where a specific, perhaps slightly archaic, tone is desired. However, in most contexts, phrases like "design influenced by" or "design based on" are clearer and more widely accepted.

What are some alternatives to "design upon"?

Several alternatives exist, depending on the intended meaning. These include "design based on", "design influenced by", "design relying on", and "base the design on". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "design upon" grammatically correct?

The grammatical correctness of "design upon" is debatable. While not strictly incorrect, it's less common and can sound awkward to some readers. Standard English often favors constructions like "design based on", which are generally clearer and more widely accepted.