incident upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incident upon" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be a misinterpretation or confusion with other phrases. Example: "The events that incident upon the main issue were not addressed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This environment map tells us the illumination incident upon the person's face.

Columbia University

In this cAse the additional limits of either large or small shell splaneg are employed.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The method involves investigating plane wave reflections randomly incident upon an uneven surface.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

A plane sound wave is incident upon a system of two concentric cylindrical shells.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

He made the trip from France by submarine, caused a small international incident upon arrival, and had lunch.

The New Yorker

A plane-wave reference and an image-carrying object beam are incident upon the fiber in a reflection geometry.

Stanford University

Sets the excitation to be a planewave incident upon the front (first layer specified) of the structure.

Stanford University

The upshot is a mirror whose angle with respect to the light incident upon it can be changed at will.

The Economist

Thus, photons from both energy regions will be incident upon their respective detectors with little cross talk.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

The reflection of both propagating and evanescent waves, incident upon a linearly constrained boundary, is first analyzed.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

They include the floating potential measurement in the plasma and the energy analysis of the ions incident upon the target.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract impacts or events, consider simpler and more direct alternatives like "affecting" or "impacting" for greater clarity. For instance, instead of "the costs were incident upon the worker", consider "the costs affected the worker".

Common error

Avoid using "incident upon" in general contexts where simpler words like "affecting" or "impacting" would be clearer. Overuse in non-technical writing can sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incident upon" functions as a prepositional phrase that describes the relationship between something and a surface or object it affects. It's often used in technical contexts, as Ludwig's examples show, particularly in scientific and engineering domains, to describe light, sound, or energy acting upon something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

Academia

18%

News & Media

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incident upon" is often used to describe the impact of light, sound, or other phenomena on a surface. While common, especially in scientific and technical contexts, Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not grammatically correct. Therefore, it's essential to consider clearer alternatives like "affecting" or "impacting" for better communication. Its formality makes it less suitable for casual conversation, and careful attention should be paid to the context to ensure the most precise and understandable phrasing. Given its frequent use in academic and scientific publications, understanding its meaning is valuable, but employing it judiciously is key for effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impacting

Focuses on the effect or influence something has on another thing.

striking

A shorter alternative emphasizing the act of hitting or impacting something.

acting on

Emphasizes the effect or action exerted upon something.

impinging on

Suggests an encroachment or intrusion upon something.

falling on

A more literal alternative suggesting something is physically landing or affecting a surface.

shining on

Specifically relates to light or radiation affecting a surface.

affecting

A broader term that focuses on producing a change or influence.

brought upon

Emphasizes the consequence or result of an action.

happening to

A simpler term to express the occurrence or impact of something.

befalling

Implies something is happening to someone or something, often unexpectedly or negatively.

FAQs

How can I use "incident upon" in a sentence?

The phrase "incident upon" is typically used in technical contexts to describe something striking or affecting a surface or object, such as "light incident upon a lens". In general usage, consider alternatives like "affecting" or "impacting" for greater clarity.

What's a simpler way to say "incident upon"?

Alternatives to "incident upon" include "striking", "affecting", or "impacting". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "incident upon" formal or informal?

"Incident upon" leans towards formal and technical usage. In casual conversation or informal writing, simpler alternatives like "affecting" or "happening to" might be more appropriate.

Is "incident upon" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "incident upon" can often be replaced with clearer and more direct language. While Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not grammatically correct, the examples show that it is generally used in technical contexts.