on discovering that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on discovering that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a clause that explains what was found out or realized after a discovery. Example: "On discovering that the project was behind schedule, the team quickly devised a plan to catch up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When I went to scratch it I jumped six feet out of bed on discovering that it was one of the big crawling insects.

The Guardian

Then, as the roof went on, discovering that the enormous hole in one side was also to be a permanent feature.

The Guardian - Opinion

He only turned to plays on discovering that the BBC intended to turn one of his short stories into a play for radio and planned to pay the adapter more than they were going to pay him.

The Guardian

Roy Harper, performing at the same event, on discovering that his stage costume was missing proceeded to destroy one of Pink Floyd's vans (injuring himself in the process).

Wikipedia

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

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

We might surmise something further on discovering that "Hell" surfaces nearly as often as "love".

The New Yorker

On discovering that I actually knew the man, he bought drink after drink after drink.

The Guardian - Books

So imagine my distress on discovering that the madness is now infecting sport, too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Stephanie Nikolopoulos on discovering that Jack Kerouac could be "a cement divider on Lover's Lane".

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on discovering that" to introduce a clause that explains the consequence or reaction to a new piece of information. For example: "On discovering that the flight was delayed, she made alternative arrangements."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently. Ensure that the verb tense in the clause following "on discovering that" logically aligns with the timing of the discovery. For example, instead of "On discovering that the report is due, he will start working on it," write "On discovering that the report was due, he started working on it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on discovering that" functions as an introductory prepositional phrase that modifies the main clause. It sets the stage by indicating the moment of realization or discovery which leads to a subsequent action or understanding. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on discovering that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that introduces a consequence or reaction following a discovery. As Ludwig confirms, it is versatile, appearing across various writing styles but most frequently in news and media. For clear and effective communication, pay attention to maintaining consistent verb tenses and choosing semantically similar alternatives when needed such as "upon finding out that" or "after realizing that".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon finding out that

Replaces "discovering" with "finding out", maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly different emphasis.

after realizing that

Emphasizes the realization aspect, focusing on understanding rather than just the discovery itself.

having learned that

Emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge as the starting point for a subsequent action or realization.

once it was revealed that

Highlights the unveiling of information, often implying a sense of surprise or uncovering.

following the revelation that

Highlights the revelatory nature of the information, often used in more formal contexts.

when it became known that

Focuses on the point when information became public knowledge.

after ascertaining that

Implies a more formal or investigative process of finding something out.

in light of the fact that

Introduces a statement based on a newly understood or revealed fact, presenting it as context.

as a result of finding out that

Directly connects the discovery to a subsequent outcome or consequence.

subsequent to learning that

Formally indicates that something happened after gaining knowledge.

FAQs

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

Use "on discovering that" to introduce a clause that explains the consequence or reaction to a new piece of information. For example, "On discovering that the tickets were sold out, they decided to watch a movie at home".

What can I say instead of "on discovering that"?

You can use alternatives like "upon finding out that", "after realizing that", or "when it became known that", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "upon discovering that" or "on discovering that"?

"Upon discovering that" is generally considered slightly more formal than "on discovering that", but both are acceptable in most writing contexts.

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

"On discovering that" emphasizes the immediate consequence of the discovery, while "after discovering that" focuses on the sequence of events following the discovery.