on awakening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on awakening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or thoughts that occur immediately after waking up. Example: "On awakening, she felt a sense of peace wash over her as she listened to the birds chirping outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will be powerful on awakening.

The New York Times

Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured daily on awakening.

Free Radical Biology and Medicine

Seizures occur extensively during sleep or on awakening in a substantial proportion of patients with epilepsy.

Seminars in Pediatric Neurology

They were there — this was nearly always the first thought on awakening each morning".

The New York Times - Books

This suggests that the vividly reported fears may well be produced by emotional disturbances that first occur on awakening.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On awakening from the induced dreamlike state, the woman would have no memory of her labour pains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some Simple Solutions In winter, breathing dry, heated air can cause a mild sore throat, especially on awakening.

The New York Times - Health

These techniques work more to purify the system preparing it for a kundalini awakening rather than focusing on awakening the kundalini directly.

University of California, Berkeley

Hearn calls it "unforgivable" that the M-G-M movie cast Oz as a dream; but Dorothy on awakening protests, "It wasn't a dream".

The New Yorker

On awakening for the first time in her new home, Maia looks out over the hills and forests and declares it "a land of Christmas trees" (2).

Johns Hopkins University

On awakening from standby mode to record a show, the unit produces a loud thump from the speakers an unwelcome potential intrusion upon collegiate slumbers.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on awakening" to denote events or experiences that occur immediately after someone wakes up, especially in formal or scientific contexts. For example, "Cortisol levels are often measured on awakening to assess stress response."

Common error

Avoid using "on awakening" to describe activities that happen later in the morning, such as "On awakening, I check my emails". It implies the action occurs the very instant you wake up. A better choice would be "In the morning" or "After waking up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on awakening" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying when an action occurs. It indicates the timing of an event in relation to the act of waking up, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

28%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on awakening" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that specifies when an action or state occurs immediately after waking up. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and scientific contexts, although less common in informal conversation. When considering alternatives, "upon waking" offers a similar level of formality, while "after waking up" provides a more general description. Remember to avoid using "on awakening" to describe general morning activities that don't happen right upon waking. Overall, understanding the nuances of "on awakening" allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon waking

Formal synonym, indicating the moment of waking.

after waking up

More descriptive and less formal than "on awakening".

when waking

Similar to "upon waking", but can imply a process rather than a single moment.

as one wakes up

Descriptive, emphasizing the subject's experience.

at daybreak

Refers specifically to awakening at dawn.

in the morning

General time frame, less precise than "on awakening".

after sleep

Broad, referring to the period following sleep.

after slumber

Evokes a sense of deep sleep, more literary.

coming out of sleep

Descriptive, focuses on the transition from sleep.

from a state of wakefulness

Highlights return to the waking state, more clinical or poetic than "on awakening".

FAQs

What does "on awakening" mean?

The phrase "on awakening" means immediately after waking up from sleep. It describes something that happens in the very first moments of being awake.

How can I use "on awakening" in a sentence?

You can use "on awakening" to describe an action, feeling, or observation that occurs right after waking. For example, "On awakening, she felt refreshed and ready to start the day."

What are some alternatives to "on awakening"?

Some alternatives to "on awakening" include "upon waking", "after waking up", or "when waking", depending on the context.

Is "on awakening" formal or informal?

"On awakening" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "after waking up". It is often used in scientific or medical contexts.