upon close inspection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon close inspection" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a detailed and careful examination or analysis of something. Example: Upon close inspection, it was clear that the painting was a forgery as the brush strokes did not match the artist's style.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

At first look, it appears just like one of many other portals and marketplaces that assist project managers to find talent – but upon close inspection oDesk has distinct advantages that make it one of the best and easiest ways to find employee's on-demand.

TechCrunch

Upon close inspection she discovered little spiders and insects eating the insides of the buds.

The New York Times - Arts

Upon close inspection of the magazine's masthead, one crucial piece of information, normally ignored, is apparent.

The Guardian

While monolithic and omnipresent, the N.F.L.'s makeover is obviously temporary upon close inspection.

The New York Times

The markings really are noticeable only upon close inspection — and hardly noticeable at all, the thinking goes, to a driver who is calling in his pizza order.

The New York Times

He's seeing a penumbra of particles and antiparticles from the quantum vacuum that prove, upon close inspection, to be strings, tubes, cones and manifolds: an opening display of Einsteinian wisdom.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Upon close inspections, these genomic scaffolds contain large segments of high similarity to Ae. albopictus mitochondrial genome.

BMC Genomics

But this theory crumbles upon closer inspection.

The New Yorker

But the similarities vanish upon closer inspection.

The New York Times

However, the headline turned less dire upon closer inspection.

The New York Times

But upon closer inspection Young's Theorem breaks down.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon close inspection" to introduce a finding that is not immediately apparent and requires careful examination to discover. For example, "Upon close inspection, the document revealed subtle inconsistencies that suggested it had been altered."

Common error

Avoid using "upon close inspection" when the observation is obvious or easily noticeable. Using it in such cases can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose and pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon close inspection" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause. It introduces a condition under which a particular observation or finding is made. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its use to preface discoveries made through detailed examination.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "upon close inspection" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. It indicates that a finding or observation was made after a detailed and careful examination. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across various domains, primarily in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's best used when the observation isn't immediately obvious, preventing overuse and maintaining a tone appropriate for formal or neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon closer observation

Replaces "inspection" with "observation", putting more emphasis on the act of perceiving details.

on closer examination

Replaces "inspection" with "examination", slightly altering the focus from a visual check to a more general investigation.

when inspected carefully

Similar to the original, but with a slightly different emphasis on the inspection process.

under closer scrutiny

Similar to the original but highlights the act of being scrutinized.

with careful scrutiny

Emphasizes the meticulous nature of the examination.

after a thorough look

Uses more common vocabulary, making it slightly less formal than the original.

after detailed observation

Highlights the act of observing carefully.

on detailed analysis

Shifts the focus to a formal or scientific analysis rather than a visual inspection.

a closer look reveals

Presents the phrase as an introduction to a revelation.

when examined closely

Changes the structure to a subordinate clause, which can alter the flow of the sentence.

FAQs

How can I use "upon close inspection" in a sentence?

Use "upon close inspection" to indicate that something was discovered after a careful and detailed examination. For example, "Upon close inspection, the painting's brushstrokes revealed the artist's unique technique."

What can I say instead of "upon close inspection"?

Alternatives include "on closer examination", "after a thorough look", or "with careful scrutiny" depending on the context.

Is "upon closer inspection" grammatically correct?

Yes, "upon closer inspection" is grammatically correct, although "upon close inspection" is equally valid and more common. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "upon first inspection" and "upon close inspection"?

"Upon first inspection" suggests an initial, cursory examination, while "upon close inspection" indicates a thorough and detailed examination revealing something not immediately obvious.