on discovering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on discovering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the moment or process of finding out something, often leading to a subsequent action or realization. Example: "On discovering the truth about the project, she decided to take immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So far techniques were focused on discovering workflow motifs in one domain [17, 24 26].

Journal of Big Data

Obviously, the institution is also working on discovering how that error occurred to prevent similar ones.

The New York Times

Tony Perrottet on discovering the real Casanova.

The New Yorker

On discovering his identity, the Dorians retreated.

Britannica

Now it concentrates solely on discovering and marketing medicines.

The Economist

"But, on discovering that she was, she left herself".

The New Yorker

But business runs on discovering and creating value.

Harvard Business Review

But businesses run on discovering and creating value.

Harvard Business Review

Options on discovering a fault On discovering a fault with a new car most of us want to return it and get our money back.

The Guardian - Money

Zoe's soliloquy on discovering that she is to be sold at an auction — "A slave!

The New Yorker

He was shocked on discovering the article was mine, and started taking the workshops more seriously.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on discovering" to clearly indicate a moment of realization that leads to a subsequent action or understanding. Ensure the sentence structure logically connects the discovery with its consequence.

Common error

Avoid placing the "on discovering" phrase too far from the subject it modifies, as this can lead to ambiguity. Ensure it is clear who or what is doing the discovering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on discovering" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, indicating the time or condition under which an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

25%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on discovering" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier. As Ludwig AI confirms, it connects the act of discovery to a subsequent action or realization, commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While alternatives like "upon discovering" or "after discovering" exist, the choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by placing it close to the subject and maintaining a logical connection between the discovery and its consequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon discovering

Formality; 'upon' is slightly more formal than 'on'.

after discovering

Temporal focus; emphasizes the time elapsed before the discovery.

when discovering

Focuses on the time of discovering as a condition.

on finding out

Replaces 'discovering' with a phrasal verb that has a similar meaning but less formal.

upon learning

Substitutes 'discovering' with 'learning', highlighting the acquisition of knowledge.

after realizing

Emphasizes the realization aspect of the discovery.

once it was discovered

Changes the structure to a passive voice construction emphasizing the discovery itself.

as soon as they discovered

Focuses on the immediacy of the action following the discovery.

with the discovery of

Shifts the focus to the discovery as a noun, changing the sentence structure.

having discovered

Uses a perfect participle to indicate a completed discovery influencing a later action.

FAQs

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

"On discovering" is used to indicate something that happens immediately after a discovery. For example, "On discovering the error, she corrected it immediately."

What can I say instead of "on discovering"?

You can use alternatives like "upon discovering", "after discovering", or "when discovering" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "on discovering" or "upon discovering"?

"Upon discovering" is generally considered more formal than "on discovering", though both are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired tone and audience.

What's the difference between "on discovering" and "after discovering"?

"On discovering" implies that the action happens almost immediately at the point of discovery, while "after discovering" suggests a period of time might have passed between the discovery and the subsequent action.