turn upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"turn upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is primarily used to mean to think about or focus on something. For example, "He turned his attention upon the critic's words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The judge said that because of the impending GMC investigation, "the trial will turn upon fundamentally serious issues going to the heart of the claimant's honesty and professional integrity".

Science Magazine

How easily the Peoples Armyy can turn upon the people.

The Guardian - Books

At all events no evidentiary consequences turn upon that question.

Cornell University

Instances such as these, then, turn upon the accentuation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

True radical thought, he insisted, would now turn upon the "relationship of culture to society".

The Guardian

As the days go by, they turn upon one another with accusatory hysteria.

The New York Times - Arts

The answers to these questions will turn upon the choices Russia makes in the next decade.

The New York Times

Rooney appealed to supporters not to turn upon the former England captain.

Independent

Judge CARDOZO said: "The case does not turn upon these verbal niceties.

Harvard University

He volunteered to step into the breach, to "flatten that fury, which we now much turn upon one another".

The New Yorker

A poem is an environment in which inspiration comes and goes; the moods shift, the mind can turn upon itself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize that a decision or outcome greatly depends on a specific factor, use "turn upon" to highlight the critical point of influence.

Common error

Avoid using "turn upon" when a simpler verb like "depend" or "focus" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or archaic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "turn upon" is that of a phrasal verb. As Ludwig AI suggests, it can indicate either dependence or an attack. The examples provided showcase its use in various contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "turn upon" is a versatile expression with two primary meanings: to depend on something or to attack. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and its frequent occurrence in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. The phrase's register is generally neutral, fitting various writing styles. When aiming for clarity, writers should consider the specific nuance they intend to convey, selecting synonyms like ""depend on"" or ""attack"" when appropriate. While "turn upon" can add emphasis, it should be used judiciously to avoid unnecessary complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hinge on

Emphasizes dependence or conditionality, suggesting something is contingent on another factor.

be contingent on

Highlights that something is conditional or dependent on something else occurring.

be dependent on

Synonymous to "be contingent on" and "depend on", focusing on reliance or necessity.

depend on

Similar to 'hinge on', but focuses on reliance or requirement for support.

rely on

Highlights dependence for assistance or validation.

focus on

Indicates a concentration of attention or effort toward a specific subject.

concentrate on

Similar to 'focus on' but implies a more intense and deliberate focus.

pivot to

Suggests a change in direction or strategy.

attack

Implies a hostile action or criticism directed at someone or something.

rebel against

Signifies opposition or resistance to authority or norms.

FAQs

What does "turn upon" mean?

"Turn upon" can mean to attack or to depend on something. The context usually clarifies which meaning is intended.

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

For example, "The success of the project will "hinge on" careful planning", or "The dog might "attack" if provoked."

What are some alternatives to "turn upon" when meaning 'depend on'?

Alternatives include "depend on", "rely on", or "hinge on", each carrying slightly different nuances.

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

"Turn upon" is more formal and emphasizes a critical dependency, whereas "depend on" is more general. Use "turn upon" when the dependency is pivotal.