existed upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "existed upon" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It could be used in a literary or poetic context to describe something that has existed in a particular state or condition, but it is not standard. Example: "In ancient times, a great civilization existed upon the banks of the river."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Though voters might wish otherwise, politicians arrive in Washington idealistic about spending cuts, but ultimately leave behind a government bigger than the one that existed upon their arrival.

Forbes

The original explanation was that a Jedi who successfully avoided becoming one with the Force upon death, and who manifested as a Force Ghost, could make their pure energy self (as they existed upon death) manifest in any form they wished, to whomever they wished at a given moment.

Forbes

"It is established that the property in suit is the site of Janm Bhumi [birthplace] of Ram Chandra Ji and Hindus in general had the right to worship Charan [Lord Ram's slippers], Sita Rasoi [Goddess Sita's kitchen], other idols and other object of worship existed upon the property in suit.

BBC

The dramatic effect of this blended design by architect Frederick William Cumberland drew praise from European visitors of the time: "Until I reached Toronto," remarked Lord Dufferin during his visit in 1872, "I confess I was not aware that so magnificent a specimen of architecture existed upon the American continent".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ava Lavender's story shows you the fragile threads we all exist upon and what we do to stay upright.

The Guardian

The analyses show that no stable supercooled liquid region exists upon heating.

Acta Materialia

The existence of these buddhas erases the separation between samsara and nirvana inherent in the idea that buddhas cease to exist upon attaining nirvana.

Britannica

"I do not believe that a basis exists upon which either of the franchises should be renewed," when they expire in August after 20 years.

The New York Times

Castor declined to charge Cosby with any crime, saying in a statement: "The district attorney finds insufficient, credible, and admissible evidence exists upon which any charge against Mr Cosby could be sustained beyond a reasonable doubt".

The Guardian

Indeed, we are interested on whether a feasible region exists upon the constraint imposed by the gene knockout (7), i.e. whether the fact that the encoded reactions cannot carry flux implies no flux in the biomass equation.

Nature

Earlier experiments using X-ray diffraction have indicated that a new phase of alumina exists upon non-hydrostatic compression of 67 nm particles of γ-alumina to above 35 GPa and quasi-hydrostatic compression to pressures over 50 GPa.

Solid State Communications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "existed upon" is grammatically sound, consider whether alternatives like "existed on" or "depended on" might provide clearer or more contemporary phrasing for your intended meaning. Context is key.

Common error

Avoid using "existed upon" in casual writing or modern contexts where simpler alternatives are readily available. Overuse can create a stilted or pretentious tone, detracting from your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existed upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating the location or foundation on which something had its being. It suggests a state of being or presence situated in a particular context, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "existed upon" is grammatically sound, but less frequently used in contemporary English. Ludwig indicates it's more common in formal or historical contexts. While acceptable, consider more modern and clearer alternatives like "existed on" or "depended on" depending on the intended nuance. The sources where it appears are diverse, spanning from news to scientific publications, suggesting a broad but infrequent applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depended on

Emphasizes reliance or conditionality rather than mere existence in a place.

was contingent on

Highlights the conditional nature of something's existence, depending on specific factors.

was predicated on

Highlights that something was founded or based on a specific premise.

had its basis in

Stresses the foundational elements from which something originated or developed.

rested on

Suggests a foundation or basis, often implying support or stability.

dwelt upon

Focuses on sustained attention or contemplation of something.

was situated on

Emphasizes the physical location or placement of something.

occurred on

Denotes the happening or taking place of an event at a particular location.

lived on

Implies sustenance or continuation of life in a specific place.

was present on

Simply indicates the presence or existence of something in a specific location.

FAQs

Is "existed upon" grammatically correct?

Yes, "existed upon" is grammatically correct, but it's considered less common than alternatives like "existed on" or "depended upon".

When is it appropriate to use "existed upon"?

You might use "existed upon" in formal writing, historical contexts, or when aiming for a slightly archaic tone. However, consider if a more common alternative would provide greater clarity.

What are some alternatives to "existed upon"?

Alternatives include "existed on", "depended on", "was based on", or "rested on". The best choice depends on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is there a difference between "existed on" and "existed upon"?

The difference is subtle; "existed upon" carries a more formal or literary tone than "existed on". "Existed upon" can also imply a sense of dependence or reliance, which "existed on" doesn't always convey.