to act upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to act upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to taking action based on a particular situation, information, or directive. Example: "The committee decided to act upon the recommendations provided by the consultant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The things we need to change, to solve, to do, to act upon!

Huffington Post

Is this enough evidence to act upon?

The Guardian

"And that's what we're asking the Senate to act upon".

The New York Times

We felt we needed to act upon it immediately".

The New York Times - Sports

And it is not always clear how to act upon the information the test provides.

The New York Times

Although not likely to act upon the latter./I am some sort of freak.

The Guardian - Film

Cintron said she believed they failed to act upon the information.

The Guardian

We expect you to act upon it with dispatch and full consideration.

The New Yorker

Once I was before a mirror, I found it a surprisingly difficult decision to act upon.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They wouldn't allow him to act upon all of his whims," he said.

The New York Times

Seward persisted, too, in order to act upon his long-held ambitions for the American empire.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to act upon", ensure that the subject clearly benefits from the action being taken. This makes the sentence more impactful and understandable.

Common error

Avoid using "to act upon" in a passive voice construction where it's unclear who or what is taking the action. Always specify the actor to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to act upon" functions as an infinitive phrase that typically follows a verb or modal verb. It indicates the purpose or intention behind an action, often suggesting a response to something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to act upon" is a versatile infinitive phrase that expresses the intent to take action following some stimulus, information, or opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "to take action on" or "to respond to", "to act upon" suggests a more deliberate and considered approach. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying who is taking the action and what they are acting upon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to take action on

Replaces "act" with "take action", emphasizing the action itself. It maintains the same core meaning.

to respond to

Focuses on the reaction or response to something, rather than the initial action. Still conveys a similar meaning.

to implement

Implies putting a plan or decision into effect, suggesting a more concrete action.

to execute

Suggests carrying out a task or order with precision and efficiency, implying a more formal and structured approach.

to capitalize on

Emphasizes taking advantage of an opportunity or situation, adding a layer of opportunism to the action.

to follow through on

Highlights the completion of an action or commitment, stressing the importance of seeing it through.

to address

Implies dealing with a problem or issue directly and effectively.

to deal with

A more general phrase for handling or managing something.

to take care of

Suggests resolving a matter or attending to a need.

to attend to

Implies giving attention to something, often with the intention of resolving it.

FAQs

How can I use "to act upon" in a sentence?

Use "to act upon" to indicate taking action based on information, a decision, or an opportunity. For example, "The committee decided "to act upon" the consultant's recommendations".

What are some alternatives to "to act upon"?

You can use alternatives like "to take action on", "to respond to", or "to implement" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "act on" or "to act upon"?

"Act on" and "to act upon" are often interchangeable, but "to act upon" can sometimes sound more formal or deliberate. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What is the difference between "to act upon" and "to influence"?

"To act upon" implies taking direct action as a result of something, whereas "to influence" means to have an effect on someone or something without necessarily taking direct action. Acting upon something is a more direct and decisive response.