upon arriving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'upon arriving' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the timing of an action that is happening after another action. For example: "Upon arriving at the party, I immediately spotted my best friend in the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Upon arriving home, put bumper in garage.

The New Yorker

Upon arriving at destination, mobile agents migrate back.

The Journal of China Universities of Posts and Telecommunications

But upon arriving in London he felt unmoored.

The New Yorker

Upon arriving, Martinez's first signing was goalkeeper Joel Robles.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon arriving, they found no such land available.

The New York Times

It's the first room I always enter upon arriving home.

The New Yorker

Upon arriving today, Mr. Cheney reinforced that message.

The New York Times

Upon arriving in Beijing, he promised "robust discussions" with Putin.

The Guardian

But Janice knows what she would do upon arriving.

The New York Times

Upon arriving in Tunis, Walid was detained for four days.

The New Yorker

Mr. Megrahi received a hero's welcome upon arriving in Tripoli.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upon arriving", ensure the sentence structure clearly links the arrival with the subsequent action performed by the one arriving.

Common error

Avoid using "upon arriving" in a way that creates a dangling modifier. Ensure the subject performing the action of arriving is clearly stated and logically connected to the rest of the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon arriving" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing an adverbial clause of time. It modifies the main clause by specifying when the action in that clause occurs, indicating it happens immediately after the arrival. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon arriving" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that creates a temporal link between an arrival and a subsequent action. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a valid way to describe when something happens after an arrival. It leans towards a neutral to slightly formal register, making it suitable for a variety of writing contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. While alternatives like "on arrival" or "after arriving" exist, "upon arriving" offers a distinct and clear way to express the sequence of events. Be mindful of modifier placement to avoid ambiguity and ensure your writing is clear and concise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on arrival

This is a shorter, more direct way of saying something happens after arriving; it is more concise.

after arriving

This alternative uses a more common conjunction and is less formal than "upon arriving".

once they arrived

This alternative provides more context by specifying who arrived, offering more clarity.

immediately after arrival

This emphasizes the immediacy of the action following arrival, making it more emphatic.

subsequent to arriving

This is a more formal and less common alternative, suitable for academic or legal writing.

following their arrival

Similar to 'after arriving' but slightly more formal and uses a possessive pronoun.

as soon as they got there

This is an informal alternative focusing on reaching a destination.

when they arrived

This alternative focuses on the time of arrival, using a simple conjunction.

at the time of arrival

This phrase is more descriptive and emphasizes the specific moment of arrival.

having arrived

This uses a perfect participle construction and suggests a completed action of arriving before another action occurs.

FAQs

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

Use "upon arriving" to indicate something that happens immediately after arrival. For example, "Upon arriving at the hotel, they checked in".

What are some alternatives to "upon arriving"?

You can use alternatives like "on arrival", "after arriving", or "once they arrived" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "upon arriving" or "after arriving"?

"Upon arriving" is generally considered more formal than "after arriving". The choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

Can "upon arriving" be used to describe events other than a person's arrival?

Yes, "upon arriving" can describe the arrival of objects or information. For example, "Upon arriving in the mail, the package was opened immediately".