make upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"make upon" is not a correct phrase in written English.
You would need to use a more specific verb such as "make up" or "make out". For example, "He made out his list of things to do before the end of the day".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

What statement did President Bush make upon hearing the Court's decision?

The New York Times

The mother answers, "the demands a man can make upon a woman that I find shocking".

The New York Times - Books

It's as if a primal scene were being repeated: young composers find a piano in a ruined space and see what glorious noise they can make upon it.

The New Yorker

The Cardinals will have some position decisions to make upon his return, a situation Mozeliak describes as, "a good problem, but a problem".

The Guardian - Sport

As I settle in on the driver's side, I think about the large pitcher of mimosas I will make upon our return.

The New Yorker

Even more serious are the obstacles to success inherent in the demands which execution of the project would make upon human intelligence and upon the character of men.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

The decree was made upon the pleadings.

Cornell University

However, the demands made upon catalysts are challenging indeed.

Catalysis Today

We know the claims the past makes upon us.

The New York Times

Moves are made upon the scientific and strategic boards.

The Guardian

The impression he made upon others was at times alarming.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "make upon" in formal writing. Opt for more standard and grammatically accepted alternatives like "make of", "place on", or "have on" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Don't assume that "make upon" can always replace other verbs involving influence or creation. It often sounds unnatural or archaic. Choose verbs that clearly convey the intended action, such as "base on", "decide on", or "build upon", to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make upon" functions as a verb phrase, typically suggesting an action or influence exerted onto something. However, its usage is not standard in contemporary English, as indicated by Ludwig AI. Consider alternative phrasings for clarity and correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "make upon" isn't strictly incorrect, Ludwig AI and grammatical convention suggest it's an uncommon and potentially archaic phrasing. With a low occurrence rate and questionable grammatical status, relying on more established alternatives such as "make of", "place on", or "have on" is advisable to ensure clarity and appropriateness in your writing. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Academia sources, but its rarity implies that it should be used with caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make of

Emphasizes interpretation or understanding instead of action directly on something.

have on

Suggests an impact or effect on something.

place on

Highlights the act of assigning importance or responsibility.

put on

Focuses on applying or exerting something.

exert on

Stresses the application of effort or influence.

impose on

Implies a forceful application of something.

bring to bear on

Highlights the act of directing influence towards something.

bring to bear upon

Highlights the act of directing influence towards something with a slightly more archaic tone.

form on

Suggests that something is created based on something else.

have based on

Indicates something is derived or established from another thing.

FAQs

Is "make upon" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "make upon" is an uncommon and often archaic phrasing. It's generally better to use more common alternatives like "make of" or "place on".

When is it appropriate to use "make upon"?

In contemporary English, "make upon" is rarely the best choice. Consider its use only when aiming for an intentionally old-fashioned or stylized effect. In most contexts, alternatives will sound more natural.

What does "make upon" mean?

The meaning depends on the context, but it often implies exerting an influence or making a claim on something. However, clearer and more common alternatives like "exert influence" or "stake a claim" are generally preferred.

What are some common alternatives to "make upon"?

Depending on the context, consider using "make of", "place on", "have on", or "decide on".