one upon another

USAGE SUMMARY

"one upon another" is a correct phrase used in written English.
It means "one after the other", and is usually used to describe a sequence of events or objects. For example: The waves lapped against the shore, one upon another, as the sun set.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Knowing that change comes about only through practice and action, Spodek has enacted a set of changes for himself, one upon another, that he practices every day, based on values most of us share but few of us live by as much as we'd like.

Forbes

No. Well, you will, as catastrophic AGW events pile one upon another.

Princeton University

A Handelian orchestra was wondrously flexible and balanced, but flashy coloratura displays came one upon another.

The New York Times

And his actions have followed one upon another so that men never have time to work steadily against him.

The Guardian - Books

Log cabin, small house built of logs notched at the ends and laid one upon another with the spaces filled with plaster, moss, mortar, mud, or dried manure.

Britannica

In some instances shorter phrases pile one upon another to form pleasant cacophonies of aesthetic conditions: "oscillating ambiguity," "seemingly fully formed vision," "mutant Cubist construction".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

If all banks are expanding, then there is no redemption problem of one bank upon another, and each bank finds bank expansion of one bank upon another, and each bank finds that its clientele is really the whole country.

BBC

Regulations for these purposes may press with more or less weight upon one than upon another, but they are designed, not to impose unequal or unnecessary restrictions upon any one, but to promote, with as little individual inconvenience as possible, the general good.

Cornell University

This soundtrack, however, achieved part of its drama by layering one element upon another.

The New York Times

Two years ago a festival in New York called simply Black and White piled one masterpiece upon another.

The Guardian

Some toyed around with double exposures, superimposing one image upon another, but the results were rarely naturalistic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one upon another" to describe physical arrangements where items are literally placed on top of each other, or to illustrate a sequence of closely related events building upon each other.

Common error

Avoid using "one upon another" when a simpler phrase like "one after another" is more appropriate. The former is better suited for situations involving physical stacking or a clear sense of layering and cumulative effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one upon another" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to describe how actions occur or how objects are arranged. As Ludwig states, it is used to describe events happening in sequence or objects stacked together.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one upon another" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that describes events occurring sequentially or objects being layered. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage in written English. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral register. Use it to effectively describe cumulative processes or physical arrangements, but be mindful of simpler alternatives like "one after another" when layering is not the key aspect. As described in the writing guidance, make sure you emphasize the sequential/cumulative nature and avoid using simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one after another

A more common and simpler way to express the same concept, without specific emphasis on layering.

one atop another

A more elevated way to say "one upon another", implying the top element is above the other.

successively

This emphasizes the sequence of events or items, lacking the layering aspect.

layered

This focuses on the arrangement in superimposed levels.

stacked

Implies a direct vertical arrangement, as opposed to a chain of events.

sequentially

This emphasizes the order of the sequence, also lacking a sense of layering.

in succession

Implies a formal sequence of events. Less descriptive regarding physical layering.

in sequence

Similar to "in succession" but can apply to abstract concepts and more concrete situations.

in a series

Emphasizes that the events are a part of a set, not necessarily related to each other.

piled up

Implies an unstructured accumulation, in which items may lay one upon another, but with less order or arrangement.

FAQs

How can I use "one upon another" in a sentence?

You can use "one upon another" to describe a layering effect (e.g., "The books were stacked "one upon another"") or a sequence of events that build on each other (e.g., "Problems arose "one upon another"").

What phrases are similar to "one upon another"?

Similar phrases include "one after another", "successively", or "stacked", depending on whether you want to emphasize sequence or physical arrangement.

Is it better to use "one after another" or "one upon another"?

While both indicate sequence, "one after another" is generally used for simple successions. "One upon another" suggests a building or layering effect, implying a cumulative or interconnected relationship between the items or events.

What contexts are appropriate for using the phrase "one upon another"?

Use "one upon another" when describing physical objects placed atop each other, or in situations where events or ideas build on each other sequentially and cumulatively. It is particularly effective in contexts where a layering or hierarchical effect is intended.