upon discovering

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon discovering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone finding out a fact or situation through learning it or being informed of it. For example, "Upon discovering her missing necklace, she became frantic and began searching for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Upon discovering the Bulgari connection, the literary community was aghast.

The New York Times

The parents, upon discovering their children, are devastated.

The Washington Post

Facebook promptly disabled the feature upon discovering the issue.

Independent

Both are old-school dealers, where you may rely upon discovering charismatic curiosities.

The Guardian - Travel

The hospital said that upon discovering the overdoses, it immediately informed appropriate government agencies.

The New York Times

And that upon discovering that, we might learn to be proud of ourselves.

The New York Times - Travel

But upon discovering Dyer Pond, we concluded we had found the prince of ponds.

The New York Times - Travel

"Whoa, shit!" he said, upon discovering several cages containing black mice.

The New Yorker

Upon discovering that she is pregnant, Jasmin tells two different boyfriends that they are the father.

The New York Times

Upon discovering that his boss had made untrue assertions about him, Adam chose to escalate.

The Guardian

One reader responded: One of five made the smart decision upon discovering this set up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon discovering" to emphasize the immediacy or consequence of finding something out. It adds a formal tone, making it suitable for reports, academic papers, and official communications.

Common error

Avoid using "upon discovering" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "when I found out" or "after learning" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon discovering" functions as a prepositional phrase, often introducing an adverbial clause of time. It sets the stage by indicating the moment of discovery, triggering a subsequent action or realization, as evident in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon discovering" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a prepositional phrase, often setting the stage for a subsequent action or realization following a discovery. While versatile, it's best suited for formal contexts such as reports, academic papers, and official communications. Remember to reserve it for formal writing and avoid overuse in casual settings, opting instead for simpler alternatives like "when I found out" or "after learning". Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to establish a clear temporal relationship between the act of discovery and its consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after finding out

Emphasizes the temporal sequence of finding something out and then taking action.

once it was found that

Highlights a formal tone, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

having learned

Implies a process of learning, often through experience or investigation.

on realizing

Focuses on the moment of comprehension or understanding.

after ascertaining

Stresses the effort of confirming or verifying something.

following the revelation

Suggests a dramatic or significant disclosure.

when it became apparent

Indicates a gradual realization of something previously unclear.

as soon as they noticed

Highlights the immediacy of the observation and subsequent action.

on the recognition of

Implies a formal acknowledgment or identification.

subsequent to uncovering

Emphasizes the process of investigation and eventual discovery.

FAQs

What does "upon discovering" mean?

The phrase "upon discovering" means after finding out or becoming aware of something. It implies a consequence or action that immediately follows the discovery.

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

You can use "upon discovering" to introduce a result or consequence that occurs after a discovery. For instance, "Upon discovering the error, he immediately corrected it."

What can I say instead of "upon discovering"?

You can use alternatives like "after finding out", "on realizing", or "once it was found that" depending on the context.

Is "upon discovering" formal or informal?

"Upon discovering" is considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, alternatives like "when I found out" or "after learning" are more appropriate.