ride upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ride upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is describing the act of riding on top of something, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The children were excited to ride upon the carousel as it spun around in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"We do not ride upon the railroad; it rides upon us," Thoreau wrote from Walden Pond.

The New Yorker

They are for cyclists to ride upon At the risk of pedestrian life and limb.

The New York Times

The movie's action, and Sarah's persona, ride upon a cushion of money.

The New Yorker

Or maybe the horse was thought to be sufficiently dozy and gentle for a child to ride upon.

Independent

There we met old friends immobilized into immortality: the arctic wolf, the African elephant, the tiny birds frozen forever in their symbiotic ride upon bison's back.

The New York Times

(f) No 10 or 11 year old employed under a waiver shall ride upon or be employed in the operation of or in the close proximity to any power driven machinery or equipment.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

And riding upon the breakers came a froth of laughter.

The Guardian - Sport

Rats riding upon the backs of other rats gallop up and down our street at night.

The New Yorker

Because there is one cause terrorism rides upon, a cause they have no belief in but can manipulate.

The Guardian

The inspiration for the book's title comes from a Henry David Thoreau quotation: "We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us".

The New York Times

It's an existence that rides upon a figurative highway of steel – steel appliances, steel cutlery and tools and, most important to the US economy, steel-bodied automobiles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. "Ride upon" can sound more formal or archaic than "ride on". Use it when you want to evoke a sense of tradition or emphasize the act of being carried by something else.

Common error

Avoid using "ride upon" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "ride on" or "get on" in these situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ride upon" functions primarily as a verb phrase combined with a preposition. It indicates the action of being physically supported and propelled by something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ride upon" is grammatically sound but less common than simpler alternatives like "ride on". Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides various examples of usage. It finds its place in formal or literary contexts, where the speaker wants to emphasize the feeling of being carried or supported by something, while the semantic load also implies a sense of dependence. While authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian employ it, opting for simpler alternatives in casual contexts is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on

Focus shifts to reliance rather than physical placement.

rely on

Emphasizes dependence, similar to "depend on".

hinge on

Highlights the critical importance of something for a particular outcome.

rest on

Indicates a foundation or basis of support.

be based on

Similar to "rest on", but focuses on the foundational aspect.

mount

A more formal and archaic term for getting on an animal.

climb onto

Focuses on the action of ascending to a higher position.

sit atop

Describes sitting at the highest point.

travel by

Highlights the mode of transportation.

be carried by

Focuses on the act of being transported.

FAQs

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

You can use "ride upon" to describe the act of physically riding something, as in "The knight prepared to ride upon his steed". It can also be used metaphorically, such as "The success of the project may ride upon the team's ability to collaborate".

What's a good alternative to "ride upon"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "ride upon" include "depend on", "rely on", or "ride on".

Is it more common to say "ride on" or "ride upon"?

"Ride on" is generally more common and versatile in modern English. "Ride upon" carries a slightly more formal or literary tone.

When is it appropriate to use "ride upon" instead of "ride on"?

Use "ride upon" when you wish to emphasize the act of being supported or carried by something or to create a more formal or traditional tone. Otherwise, "ride on" is usually sufficient.