tested upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tested upon" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in contexts where something is being evaluated or assessed based on certain criteria or conditions, but "tested on" is more standard. Example: "The new drug was tested upon various groups to determine its effectiveness."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

For comparison a Ru B catalyst was tested upon cycling.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Incoming students will be tested upon arrival, and may be required to participate in further English study.

Princeton University

The persistent protagonist of "The Census Taker" finds his life's validity tested upon encountering a woman who refuses to cough up any information.

The New York Times - Books

It added that the Airbus A330-300 plane's two Rolls-Royce engines "were thoroughly inspected and tested upon arrival in Shanghai with no anomalies detected".

The Guardian

The model is tested upon the completely amorphous cyclic olefin copolymers (COC, polynorbornene/polyethylene copolymer), where a large Tg variation is detected with annealing.

Polymer

The algorithm has been tested upon a series of benchmarks including large scale test case and has shown better output than the simple or non-modified version of the same algorithm.

Procedia Computer Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Tests taken at a hospital in Coral Gables, Fla., were negative, but he was re-examined by a neurologist and re-tested upon his return.

The New York Times - Sports

The others were tested, experimented upon and cataloged.

The New York Times

Bethia forms her own religion — a braiding of beliefs that is continually tested, reflected upon and improved.

Los Angeles Times

Frozen samples were tested immediately upon initial thawing.

Breast Cancer Research

This tried and tested idea relies upon high yield investment programs and multi-level marketing.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using the more common and widely accepted phrase "tested on" for clarity and better readability.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions with "tested upon". Instead, opt for active voice where appropriate to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, prefer "Researchers tested the drug" over "The drug was tested upon by researchers."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tested upon" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically following a verb to indicate the object or condition under which something is tested or evaluated. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts from scientific experiments to character assessments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tested upon" is grammatically acceptable but notably less common than its counterpart, "tested on". Ludwig identifies it as a prepositional phrase primarily functioning to describe the conditions or methods of testing. While it appears across various domains, from science to news, it's most prevalent in scientific and academic contexts, suggesting a formal register. Ludwig AI underscores that "tested on" is often preferred for its clarity and broader acceptance. Therefore, while "tested upon" isn't incorrect, opting for "tested on" typically results in more natural and accessible writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tested on

More common and generally preferred alternative.

subjected to testing

Formal rephrasing emphasizing the act of testing.

evaluated under

Focuses on the evaluation aspect of the testing process.

assessed using

Highlights the method used in the assessment.

examined by means of

A more technical and formal way of describing testing.

put through its paces

Idiomatic expression for testing performance.

trialed with

Emphasizes the experimental nature of the testing.

experimented on

Highlights the experimental nature of testing, particularly in scientific contexts.

verified against

Focuses on confirming accuracy or validity through testing.

checked for

Simple and direct way of indicating testing for specific qualities.

FAQs

Is "tested upon" grammatically correct?

Yes, "tested upon" is grammatically correct, but it is less common than "tested on". The latter is generally preferred in modern English.

When should I use "tested upon" instead of "tested on"?

While "tested on" is generally preferred, "tested upon" might be used in more formal or technical contexts, although even then, "tested on" is usually acceptable. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What are some alternatives to "tested upon"?

Alternatives include "subjected to testing", "evaluated under", or "assessed using". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect of the testing you want to emphasize.

Is "tested upon" more formal than "tested on"?

Yes, "tested upon" can sound slightly more formal or archaic compared to "tested on". However, in most contemporary writing, the difference is negligible, and "tested on" is widely accepted across various registers.