on finding out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on finding out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the moment or process of discovering or learning something new. Example: "On finding out the truth, she felt a mix of relief and disappointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I definitely don't know the proper price tag to put on finding out more.

The Washington Post

Soviet prestige--not to mention the war effort--depended on finding out how American planes were evading the SAMs.

Los Angeles Times

He insisted on finding out everything – everything.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her parents, on finding out, were disappointed.

The Guardian

Bent on finding out why, Barres changed course.

Stanford University

Then Thiago, on finding out what happened, called Ryan.

The Guardian - Sport

Her dissertation is focused on finding out how and why those variations occur.

Cornell University

But later Clotilde, his wife insists on finding out what he is thinking about.

The New Yorker

The Tillman family, however, insisted on finding out what had happened.

The New York Times

Flowers prides himself on finding out who the escort "really" is.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Manhattan diners intent on finding out-of-the way places may finally meet their match in the Restaurant at Splashlight Studios.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on finding out" to clearly indicate a point in time immediately after a discovery or realization, creating a sense of immediacy in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "finding out" alone to introduce a clause when "on finding out" is needed to emphasize the temporal connection. For example, use "On finding out the results, she celebrated", rather than "Finding out the results, she celebrated" to be more precise about the timing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on finding out" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an adverbial clause of time, indicating the moment when something is discovered. It modifies the main clause by providing temporal context, specifying when the action in the main clause occurs. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this is a common construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

36%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on finding out" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that introduces an adverbial clause of time. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, maintaining a neutral register. Its primary function is to emphasize the immediate temporal connection between discovering something and the resulting action or state. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the timing you intend to convey and avoid confusing it with simpler constructions like "finding out". Remember to consider the context, as indicated by the usage patterns, where it's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon discovering

Replaces "on finding out" with a more formal phrasing.

after learning

Substitutes "on finding out" with a temporal clause, focusing on the time after the discovery.

upon the discovery of

Offers a more formal and passive construction than "on finding out".

once it was discovered that

Introduces a full clause, emphasizing the discovery as a completed event.

having discovered

Uses a participial phrase to indicate the discovery.

as soon as they found out

Highlights the immediacy of the action following the discovery.

when it became known that

Shifts the focus to the information becoming known.

with the revelation that

Emphasizes the revealing aspect of the finding.

following the ascertainment of

Provides a more formal and precise alternative.

after the realization

Focuses on the realization as the key moment.

FAQs

How can I use "on finding out" in a sentence?

Use "on finding out" to introduce a clause that describes what happened immediately after someone discovered something. For example: "On finding out about the promotion, he celebrated with his colleagues."

What phrases are similar to "on finding out"?

Similar phrases include "upon discovering", "after learning", or "once they found out". Choose the alternative that best fits the context and formality of your writing.

Is it correct to say "finding out" instead of "on finding out"?

While "finding out" can be used, "on finding out" emphasizes the immediate consequence or reaction to the discovery. Using "on" adds a temporal dimension, indicating that the action or state occurred directly after the discovery.

What's the difference between "on finding out" and "after finding out"?

"On finding out" implies a more immediate connection between the discovery and the subsequent event compared to "after finding out". "After finding out" allows for a slightly longer interval between the discovery and the event.