discover upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'discover upon' is not correct in written English.
To make a sentence with a similar meaning, you could use the phrase 'discover when' instead. For example: "He discovered when he arrived that the museum had closed early."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"We are confident the committee will discover, upon proper review, that the highly politicized allegations made at the O.C.E.

The New York Times

I was also thrilled to discover, upon moving to England seven years ago, the vast range of apples available to us here.

The Guardian - Books

The acting is so natural that I was surprised to discover, upon speaking to the director, that the women (and men) were non-professional actors.

The New Yorker

Indeed, it is one of rather surprising things that Jewish expats discover upon arrival in China Chinaa is especially good for the Jews.

The New Yorker

In which case it is very likely that you were surprised to discover, upon opening your door, that Jason Lepes was fifteen years old.

The New Yorker

He takes her to the airport, only to discover upon his return to his island that she has beaten him there.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

As I discovered upon rewatching it with my daughter recently, it was also thoroughly groundbreaking children's television.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Discovering upon arrival that he was a day early, he rebuked himself ("Idiot!"), then retreated to Sag Harbor, his seasonal abode.

The New Yorker

But old laws are clearly not the only obstacle, as Mr. Guest, the American ambassador, discovered upon his arrival last month.

The New York Times

In 1902, the leader of a "large and dreaded band of marauders and tramps" in Monroe County, N.Y., was discovered, upon arrest, to be a woman.

The New York Times - Books

ABOUT 12 years ago, my husband and I flew from London to Montpelier in southern France, and discovered, upon landing, that our luggage was nowhere to be found.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "discover upon" in formal writing. Opt for more standard and grammatically sound alternatives like "discover when" or "find out after" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is using "upon" directly after verbs like "discover" to indicate timing. While "upon" can denote 'on the occasion of', it doesn't always fit seamlessly. Instead, use "when" or "after" for clearer connections. For example, say "discover when" instead of "discover upon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discover upon" functions as a verb phrase, attempting to link the act of discovery with a subsequent event or condition. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discover upon" is an interesting case, as it appears in a variety of sources, yet is flagged as grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. While it attempts to link the act of discovery with a following event, standard English prefers alternatives like "discover when" or "find out after". Its presence in news and scientific articles suggests a neutral to formal register, but its grammatical issues make it unsuitable for polished writing. As such, it's best to steer clear of "discover upon" and opt for clearer, more conventional phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find out after

Focuses on the act of finding information out after something else has happened.

learn subsequently

Emphasizes the temporal sequence of learning something after an event.

realize later

Highlights the realization of something at a later time.

ascertain after

Implies a more formal or investigative process of finding something out after an event.

come to know following

Suggests a gradual process of learning or becoming aware of something after an event.

uncover after

Implies a process of revealing or exposing something after a specific point.

find out when

Highlights finding out at a specific time or during an event.

detect following

Emphasizes the act of noticing something after an event.

perceive subsequently

Indicates the act of perceiving something at a later or subsequent time.

recognize thereafter

Highlights the recognition of something occurring after a particular event.

FAQs

Is "discover upon" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "discover upon" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "discover when" or "find out after".

What can I say instead of "discover upon"?

You can use alternatives like "find out after", "learn subsequently", or "realize later" depending on the context.

How can I correctly use "discover" in a sentence about timing?

Instead of "discover upon", use "discover when" or "discover after". For example, "He discovered when he arrived that the museum was closed".

What's the difference between "discover upon" and "discover when"?

"Discover when" is grammatically correct and indicates the time something was discovered. "Discover upon" is generally considered incorrect and should be avoided. Use "discover when" to clearly indicate timing.