stand upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stand upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is referring to a position or belief that is being upheld or maintained. Example: "We must stand upon our principles, even in the face of adversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

There is a role for everyone; You simply stand upon a stage, and that is Art.

The New Yorker

People need a measure of governance over the territory they stand upon.

The Guardian

Central to Mr. Santorum's spiritual life is his wife, whom he calls "the rock which I stand upon".

The New York Times

"It is his legacy and his vision that we stand upon now as we move forward," Mr. Freelon said.

The New York Times - Arts

That Sunday, invoking Martin Luther, he called for a spiritual army to "track down our adversary, defeat him valiantly, then stand upon his carcass".

The New Yorker

The buildings that stand upon it here and there, are half in ruins: old breweries, old manufactories of qeer, abandoned commodities, windowless and haggard from the weather.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

In his house, it became a perfect symbol of the past, standing on a rug like the one it originally stood upon, with a silver pitcher on it as of old.

The New Yorker

The retort-stand upon which time has experimented with human mortality, that's the sort of observation you'd make - but far cruder.

The Guardian - Books

Many stood upon the seats, others stood upon stools placed on the seats.

The New York Times

Two men in horse-riding clothes stood upon a plain.

The New Yorker

These chupacabras were smaller and stood upon four feet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stand upon" when you want to convey a sense of physical placement or reliance on a foundation, principle, or prior achievement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "stand upon" excessively in formal writing where more precise synonyms like "rely on" or "depend on" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stand upon" functions as a phrasal verb. It describes the act of physically standing on something or, more figuratively, relying on a foundation, principle, or previous accomplishment. The examples provided by Ludwig highlight its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "stand upon" is widely used, indicating physical placement or, more often, a figurative reliance or grounding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and prevalent across various domains. While "stand upon" appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and encyclopedic sources, it is crucial to consider the context and potential for more precise alternatives in formal writing. When you want to convey a sense of physical placement or reliance on a foundation, principle, or prior achievement the phrase can be helpful. To expand your vocabulary, synonyms like "rely on", "depend on" and "rest on" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rely on

Emphasizes dependence or reliance, removing the physical aspect.

depend on

Similar to "rely on", focuses on needing something for support or success.

rest on

Implies a foundation or basis for something.

be based on

Highlights the foundation or principle from which something originates.

be founded on

Similar to "be based on", but emphasizes a more deliberate establishment.

affirm

To declare one's support for something

take a stand on

To express one's support for something in order to take a position toward a specific topic.

maintain

To express one's support for something by keeping it secure

place on

Physically positioning something atop another.

set upon

Similar to "place on", but has a meaning related to violence or attacks.

FAQs

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

You can use "stand upon" to describe a physical action, such as "They now stand upon the same ground plane as the visitors themselves." It can also be used metaphorically, such as "current practitioners of epidemiology stand upon the shoulders of those who came before."

What can I say instead of "stand upon"?

Alternatives to "stand upon" include "rely on", "depend on", or "rest on", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "stand upon" or "stand on"?

Both "stand upon" and "stand on" are grammatically correct. "Stand upon" often implies a more formal or figurative sense of reliance or foundation, while "stand on" is more commonly used for literal physical positioning.

What is the difference between "stand upon" and "take a stand on"?

"Stand upon" refers to physically being located on something or relying on a principle. In contrast, "take a "take a stand on"" signifies publicly supporting or defending a particular belief or cause.