seize upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seize upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate taking advantage of an opportunity or idea. Example: "The committee decided to seize upon the new funding opportunity to enhance their community programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How could I seize upon and define it?

The New Yorker

Mr. Jackson's representatives were quick to seize upon the memorandum.

The New York Times

Other things your followers will seize upon and never let you forget.

The Guardian - Tech

But the West can seize upon Arab backing to help protect eastern Libya.

The Economist

Other vested interests seize upon such anxieties to press their favoured alternatives.

The Economist

If it returns, we seize upon it avidly, stunned and altered again.

The New Yorker

The company had hoped to seize upon expectations of a revival in the construction industry.

The New York Times

Michaels's signal achievement was to seize upon a growing interest in activities like needlepoint and scrapbooking.

The New York Times

"Everyone wants to seize upon The Independent – 'Will they keep it?

The Guardian

Of course, the Romney campaign would seize upon any such development.

The New Yorker

Democrats are eager to seize upon Rubio's prior criticisms of the Senate while running for president.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seize upon" to convey a sense of urgency and enthusiasm when adopting a new idea or opportunity. For example, "The company decided to seize upon the new market trend to increase sales."

Common error

While "seize upon" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "capitalize on" or "utilize" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seize upon" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of quickly and enthusiastically taking hold of an opportunity, idea, or advantage. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seize upon" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of quickly and enthusiastically taking advantage of an opportunity or idea. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources, particularly in news and media, highlight its relevance in contemporary writing. While it maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for various contexts, writers should be mindful of the slight nuance of urgency and eagerness it conveys. When a more formal tone is needed, alternatives such as "capitalize on" or "utilize" may be more appropriate. In summary, "seize upon" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit, offering a concise and impactful way to describe proactive engagement with opportunities and ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capitalize on

Emphasizes leveraging something to one's advantage; less forceful than "seize upon".

take advantage of

Focuses on utilizing an opportunity, sometimes with a connotation of opportunism.

jump at

Indicates an immediate and enthusiastic acceptance of an opportunity.

make the most of

Focuses on maximizing the benefits of a situation or resource.

jump on

Conveys a sense of immediate and enthusiastic adoption.

latch onto

Suggests a firm and perhaps tenacious grasp of an idea or opportunity.

embrace

Signifies accepting and adopting something wholeheartedly.

adopt readily

Emphasizes the ease and willingness with which something is taken up.

grasp eagerly

Highlights the enthusiasm with which something is taken.

exploit

Implies using something for one's own benefit, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "seize upon" to describe eagerly taking advantage of an opportunity or idea. For instance, "The team decided to "seize upon" the new technology to improve their efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "seize upon"?

You can use alternatives like "capitalize on", "take advantage of", or "make the most of" depending on the context.

Is "seize upon" formal or informal?

"Seize upon" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, but it carries a sense of enthusiasm or urgency. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "capitalize on" or "utilize".

What is the difference between "seize upon" and "take advantage of"?

While both phrases refer to utilizing an opportunity, "seize upon" often implies a more immediate and enthusiastic adoption. "Take advantage of" can sometimes carry a negative connotation of opportunism, which is less common with "seize upon".