upon being

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon being" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as a more formal alternative to "when" in phrases such as "upon being asked". For example, "Upon being questioned about the incident, the suspect declined to comment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Upon being met by Maj.

The New York Times

Concentrate upon being supportive.

The New Yorker

Finally hit upon being a police dog.

The New Yorker

Upon being seated, diners get instant attention.

The New York Times

Its own insistence upon being reread.

The New Yorker

I must not depend upon being ever very blooming again.

The New Yorker

Upon being confronted, Herrera apparently denied any wrongdoing.

The Guardian - Sport

- upon being called a black woman novelist," she has said.

The Guardian - Books

Upon being dropped in country, Special Forces Capt.

The New York Times - Books

Upon being touched, the religious man jolted to life.

The New York Times - Magazine

Upon being sworn in, Mr. Clinton would immediately be the most prominent member of Congress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon being" to add a formal tone to your writing, particularly when describing events in legal, academic, or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "upon being" in casual conversation or informal writing; it can sound overly pretentious or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "when" or "after" for better clarity and tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon being" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing an action or state that immediately follows another action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adds a layer of formality and is often used in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "upon being" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that adds a formal tone to writing. According to Ludwig AI, it functions to indicate temporal succession, often in academic, scientific, or official contexts. While it is widely accepted, simpler alternatives like "when" or "after" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Pay attention to the context to determine whether the formality of "upon being" is necessary or if a more straightforward option would better suit your needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when

A straightforward temporal conjunction replacing "upon being" with a direct indicator of timing.

immediately after

This alternative emphasizes the temporal proximity between two events more directly than the original phrase.

directly following

Stresses the immediate nature of the sequence, useful for emphasizing the close connection between two events.

as soon as

Highlights the immediate succession of events, focusing on the speed of transition.

following

A more concise and straightforward way to indicate that something happens next.

after

A simpler, less formal alternative that still conveys the sequence of events.

in the wake of

Indicates a close following with an implication of consequence or result.

subsequent to

A more formal alternative emphasizing a clear sequence of events with a sense of time passing.

at the time of

Focuses on the specific moment when something occurs, making it suitable for describing simultaneous events.

on

A shorter preposition that can be used to indicate the start of an action or state.

FAQs

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

Use "upon being" to describe an event that immediately follows another, often in formal contexts. For example: "Upon being elected, she immediately started working on her campaign promises."

What's a simpler way to say "upon being"?

Alternatives to "upon being" include "when", "after", or "as soon as". These options are less formal and may be more appropriate in everyday conversation.

Is "upon being" always necessary, or can I use a simpler construction?

While grammatically correct, "upon being" can sometimes make your writing sound overly formal. Consider whether a simpler phrase like "after" or "when" would convey the same meaning more effectively. If formality is required, keep "upon being".

What is the difference between "upon being" and "after"?

"Upon being" and "after" both indicate a sequence of events, but "upon being" often implies a more immediate or formal connection between the events. "After" is more general and can refer to events that are less directly linked in time or consequence.