upon discovering that

USAGE SUMMARY

This phrasing is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing a situation or a result that was found out by someone or something. Example: Upon discovering that their house had been broken into, the family was filled with fear.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Travel

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

The New York Times

Countless women, who delayed child-bearing for whatever reason, have experienced anguish upon discovering that they cannot conceive.

The Guardian

Trillin, upon discovering that the test may not have taken place, helped to organize a tasting along similar lines.

The New Yorker

But United were satisfied with a point, all the more so upon discovering that Forest had only drawn at Arsenal.

The Guardian - Sport

Upon discovering that audiences loved his Western drawl, he began to ad-lib patter in his previously silent act.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This summer, upon discovering that the airline we were flying no longer provided envelopes to house our loose boarding passes, my family decided that we'd had enough.

The New York Times

(Or, upon discovering that an American agent has assassinated their leader, a declaration of war – but I suppose Saul knows best).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Called to another audition, for Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson: The Immortal" show, Storyboard stormed out upon discovering that, if hired, he was expected to learn official choreography.

The New Yorker

The one sent by dismayed festival-goers to Cannes last May upon discovering that out of 22 films in competition, none had been directed by a woman.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Whole Foods shopper at some point experiences a pang of surprise upon discovering that the chain started in Texas, rather than in, say, Berkeley or Boston.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon discovering that" to introduce a direct consequence or reaction to a new piece of information. For example, "Upon discovering that the flight was delayed, they decided to explore the city."

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "upon discovering that" too frequently can make your writing sound overly formal. Consider using simpler alternatives like "after finding out" or "when they realized" in more casual writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon discovering that" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing an adverbial clause. It modifies the main clause by providing the temporal context or condition under which the action in the main clause occurs. Ludwig AI indicates this is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon discovering that" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to introduce a consequence of a discovery. Ludwig AI validates its usage in written English. It carries a neutral to formal tone and is widely present in reputable sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and encyclopedic entries. While "upon discovering that" is a good choice, simpler alternatives like "after finding out" might better suit more informal writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after finding out that

Emphasizes the temporal sequence of finding out something and the subsequent action.

once it was discovered that

Highlights the passive nature of the discovery.

on the realization that

Focuses on the realization aspect of the discovery.

having learned that

Implies a process of learning leading to a discovery.

after the revelation that

Suggests a more significant or surprising discovery.

with the knowledge that

Highlights the state of knowing something after the discovery.

once they realised that

Focuses on the moment of realisation, similar to "upon discovering that".

in light of the discovery that

Emphasizes the context or background of the discovery.

as a result of finding out that

Highlights the causal relationship between finding out and the subsequent event.

following the insight that

Emphasizes the insightful nature of the discovery.

FAQs

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

Use "upon discovering that" to indicate something learned that immediately precedes a related action or realization. For example, "Upon discovering that all the tickets had sold out, she decided to watch the event from home."

What are some alternatives to "upon discovering that"?

You can use alternatives such as "after finding out that", "once it was discovered that", or "on the realization that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "that" after "upon discovering"?

While grammatically correct, including "that" after "upon discovering" can improve clarity. Omitting "that" might sound less formal, but it's acceptable. Example: "Upon discovering the error, he corrected it immediately."

What is the difference between "upon discovering that" and "after discovering that"?

"Upon discovering that" implies a more immediate consequence or reaction than "after discovering that". "After discovering that" simply indicates a sequence of events, whereas "upon discovering that" suggests a direct and prompt response to the discovery.