question upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "question upon" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate a question that arises from a specific situation or topic. Example: "The question upon which we must focus is the impact of climate change on agriculture."

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

That's the question upon which his legacy depends.

The New Yorker

Therefore, you should not put a leading question upon it.

Yale University

We went to one allergist after another, armed with question upon question.

The New York Times

It was the kind of convoluted, paradoxical question upon which verdicts can turn, Mr. Zissou said.

The New York Times

We encounter at the outset a question upon the form of the judgment.

Cornell University

But while Du Sautoy's approach is novel, it turns out the question upon which his book is based is in itself troublesome.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

But there are variables upon variables, questions upon questions.

The New York Times

Visitors from North America were being closely questioned upon arrival at airports in Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and the Philippines.

The New York Times

Far from settling the debate, the terrorism report raised more questions upon its release on Jan . 16

The Washington Post

As the ratings alter school culture, they have also thrust difficult questions upon school administrators.

The New York Times

5.40pm BST Despite Guardian Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts' admirable effort, Eric Holder did not take questions upon leaving this morning's hearing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "question upon", ensure the context is formal or academic where such phrasing is more accepted.

Common error

Avoid using "question upon" in casual conversation or informal writing. Choose more common and accessible alternatives to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "question upon" functions as a prepositional phrase, often introducing a topic or issue that requires careful consideration or analysis. Ludwig AI shows examples where it highlights critical points.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

41%

News & Media

41%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "question upon" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat formal way to introduce a topic or issue that needs consideration. Ludwig provides examples primarily from academic, news, and scientific contexts. While correct, it's less common in contemporary English, suggesting that alternatives like "question about" or "issue regarding" may be more suitable for modern writing. Ludwig AI shows that this expression may sound archaic in most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issue regarding

Replaces "question" with "issue" and "upon" with "regarding", making it sound more contemporary.

matter concerning

Substitutes "question" for "matter" and "upon" for "concerning", which emphasizes the subject under consideration.

query relating to

Uses "query" as a synonym for "question" and replaces "upon" with "relating to", providing a slightly more formal tone.

topic of

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the subject matter directly, omitting the preposition entirely.

point about

Replaces "question" with "point" and "upon" with "about", shifting the focus to a specific idea.

inquiry into

Emphasizes the act of investigation, replacing "question" with "inquiry" and "upon" with "into".

problem concerning

Highlights a difficulty or challenge, using "problem" instead of "question".

subject regarding

A more direct and contemporary alternative, focusing on the topic being discussed.

consideration regarding

Replaces "question" with "consideration", focusing on the aspect that needs to be contemplated.

debate over

Focuses on the act of arguing or discussing the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "question upon" in a sentence?

Use "question upon" to introduce a critical issue or point for consideration, as in "The "question upon" which his legacy depends is whether he created art or just gadgets."

What are some alternatives to "question upon"?

Alternatives include "question about", "issue regarding", or "matter concerning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "question upon" grammatically correct?

Yes, "question upon" is grammatically correct, but it's more formal and less common in contemporary English. It might sound archaic or overly sophisticated in casual contexts.

What's the difference between "question upon" and "question about"?

"Question upon" is a more formal way to introduce a question that hinges on something, while "question about" is more general and widely used in both formal and informal contexts.