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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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observed upon

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "observed upon" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It is typically intended to convey the act of observing something, but the preposition "upon" is not appropriate in this context. Example: "The results were observed in the experiment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is even observed upon the most lofty of Alps.

A similar pattern was observed upon subgroup analysis.

Conversely no yellow brown discoloration is observed upon UV irradiation.

Similarly impaired ion signaling was observed upon gravistimulation.

During cycling a reversible pressure decrease was observed upon charging.

One to four phase transitions have been observed upon heating.

Order order transitions are observed upon heating some hybrids.

Science

Polymer

The fluorescence of the QD was observed upon the addition of saccharides.

This explains the increased resistance to drought that is observed upon addition of IONs.

Intracellular labelling observed upon salt (upper) and osmotic stress (middle) are indicated with arrows.

Science

Rice

Moreover, accumulation of saliva and the distended esophagus were observed upon upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (Fig. 7).

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "observed upon" in formal writing. Instead, use more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "observed in", "noted in", or "detected in" depending on the context.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "upon" after "observed", likely due to its archaic usage in similar contexts. Always double-check your preposition choices and opt for "in", "during", or "when" for clarity and correctness.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

77%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "observed upon" functions as a passive verb construction combined with a preposition. However, it's considered grammatically incorrect and is not recommended for standard English usage. As Ludwig AI points out, the preposition 'upon' is inappropriate in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "observed upon" appears frequently, particularly in scientific publications, Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically incorrect. It's best to replace it with more standard alternatives like "observed in", "observed during", or other contextually appropriate phrases. Using these alternatives will ensure clearer and more grammatically sound writing.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "observed upon" in a sentence?

The phrase "observed upon" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "observed in", "observed during", or "observed when" depending on the context. For example, instead of "The effect was observed upon heating", use "The effect was "observed during" heating".

What can I say instead of "observed upon"?

Alternatives to "observed upon" include "observed in", "noted in", "detected in", or "seen in". The best choice depends on the specific context of your sentence.

Which is correct, "observed upon" or "observed in"?

"Observed in" is the grammatically correct and more widely accepted phrase. "Observed upon" is considered incorrect by many style guides and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

Is "observed upon" ever appropriate to use?

While "observed upon" appears in some published works, especially in scientific literature, it is generally not recommended due to its perceived awkwardness and potential for misinterpretation. It's safer to use alternatives like ""observed during"" or "observed when" for better clarity and adherence to standard English grammar.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: