upon asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon asking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs as a result of asking a question or making an inquiry. Example: "Upon asking for clarification, she realized there was a misunderstanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Upon asking the difference, I was told, "Twenty dollars".

The New York Times

But the themes weren't new to him; he routinely elicits a similar response upon asking students how school is going.

The New York Times

How can you be patient when a child insists upon asking technical questions during your most emotionally charged moments?

The New York Times

Upon asking his question, Noah said he was surprised that Russell had not given specific examples of racism.

The New York Times - Sports

She didn't know, but upon asking found out it was for the benefit of the New York League of Girls Clubss.

The New Yorker

I'm sure it's possible to come up with all sorts of serious, literary-theoretical explanations, but I wouldn't be entirely surprised if, upon asking the authors themselves, they said it was because there were no cellphones back then.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Moreover, it knows that something is better than nothing that can then be amended, modified, and built upon (ask if any of our seniors want to give up Medicare even 46 years after it becoming law?).

Huffington Post

Sand seized upon this, asking, "Did you tell Mr. Wise that this person was in Europe?" "No," Biro said.

The New Yorker

Upon Rogan asking if he's ever had it, Musk says that he thinks he "tried one once" before Rogan teases: "Come on, man.

Huffington Post

Teachers reflect upon feedback, asking themselves: "is it true what others are saying about me" [ 20, 30- 32].

BMC Medical Education

The haters seize upon periodic polls asking reporters how they voted in a presidential race.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon asking" to clearly indicate that an action or piece of information directly followed a question or request. It creates a sense of immediacy and direct causation in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "upon asking" in very informal contexts, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. In casual conversation or informal writing, simpler alternatives like "when I asked" or "after asking" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon asking" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adverb, or clause. It indicates the timing of an action or event in relation to the act of asking a question. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "upon asking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase indicating that something occurs directly after an inquiry. Ludwig AI affirms this assessment. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal tone, making it well-suited for news, academic writing, and professional communication. Consider less formal alternatives like "when I asked" or "after asking" for casual contexts. It's crucial to use the phrase to clearly establish a direct connection between the question and subsequent information or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on questioning

More concise and direct alternative.

after inquiring

Focuses on the action of making an inquiry, slightly more formal.

following the question

Emphasizes the sequence of events, highlighting that the question preceded the action.

as a result of asking

Directly states the cause-and-effect relationship.

when questioned

Highlights that someone was subject to questioning.

in answer to the question

Highlights that something is provided as a response or solution.

in response to the inquiry

More formal, emphasizes the inquiry as the direct cause of the response.

after putting the question

Highlights the action of posing a question, implies a slightly more formal setting.

after seeking information

Emphasizes the search for information aspect of asking.

once the query was made

More formal and passive, shifting focus from the asker to the query itself.

FAQs

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

Use "upon asking" to indicate that something happened immediately after a question was posed. For example, "Upon asking about the delay, the manager provided an explanation."

What's a less formal alternative to "upon asking"?

Alternatives such as "when I asked" or "after asking" can provide a more casual and conversational tone depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "upon asking" instead of "after asking"?

No, "after asking" is often perfectly acceptable and can be more natural in many situations. "Upon asking" adds a slightly more formal or immediate tone.

What is the difference between "upon asking" and "in response to"?

"Upon asking" emphasizes the act of questioning and the immediate result, while "in response to" focuses on the answer or action that follows the question. They can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but not all.