Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
place upon
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "place upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the act of putting something on a surface or assigning a responsibility or burden to someone or something. Example: "The teacher decided to place upon her students the responsibility of organizing the class project."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
These events typically take place upon takeoff and landing.
Electrodeposition of nickel took place upon the contaminated surface.
Science
Place upon lettuce leaves and cover with mayonnaise.
News & Media
In these materials, complex stress distribution takes place upon loading leading to a jagged crack extension.
Science
Phase transformation theory applicable to reaustenitisation that takes place upon heating low-alloy steels is described.
Science
"Intuitive judgment," re-creation and, in particular, "reality" are treacherous counters to place upon the board.
News & Media
And what value do we, as a culture at large, place upon their accomplishments?
News & Media
It is also about the importance of the bonds of place upon us all.
News & Media
It is a heck of a weight to place upon Neymar.
News & Media
Act., to sit or be situated upon, stand upon, take place upon, occupy.
Academia
These spectroscopic results suggested that a conformational change of the elongation factor takes place upon interaction with the antibiotic.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "place upon" when you want to emphasize a formal or deliberate action of putting something on a surface or assigning responsibility.
Common error
Avoid using "place upon" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it may sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "put on" or "set on" in these cases.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "place upon" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often used to indicate the action of positioning something on a surface or assigning a responsibility or burden. Ludwig examples highlight its versatility in academic, news, and general contexts.
Frequent in
Science
35%
News & Media
34%
Academia
10%
Less common in
Wiki
4%
Formal & Business
2%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "place upon" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to denote the physical action of putting something on a surface or the abstract act of assigning a quality or burden. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely applicable across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While generally neutral to formal, it is advisable to use simpler alternatives like "put on" in informal settings. Its high frequency and presence in authoritative sources underscore its legitimacy and continued relevance in contemporary English. When employing "place upon", consider the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
put on
Indicates the act of physically putting something on something else. Less formal than "place upon".
lay on
Similar to put on, suggesting a less careful placement.
set on
Indicates a deliberate placement or setting of something.
impose on
Emphasizes the act of assigning something burdensome or obligatory.
assign to
Implies a more formal allocation or designation.
ascribe to
Focuses on attributing a quality or characteristic.
attribute to
Similar to ascribe to, but may suggest a more direct cause-and-effect relationship.
rest on
Suggests dependence or reliance on something.
hinge on
Emphasizes the critical dependence of an outcome or situation.
depend on
Similar to hinge on, but with a slightly broader implication of reliance.
FAQs
How do I use "place upon" in a sentence?
Use "place upon" to indicate putting something on something else, or assigning a responsibility or burden. For example: "The responsibility they decided to "assign to" the team was significant."
What can I say instead of "place upon"?
You can use alternatives such as "put on", "impose on", or "ascribe to" depending on the specific context.
Is it more formal to use "place upon" than "put on"?
Yes, "place upon" generally carries a more formal tone compared to the more common and informal "put on".
When is it appropriate to use "place upon" in academic writing?
"Place upon" is appropriate in academic writing when you want to emphasize the deliberate action of assigning importance, responsibility, or influence, or when describing a careful positioning or arrangement of elements.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested