upon finding out that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon finding out that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a reaction or consequence that occurs after discovering or learning something. Example: "Upon finding out that she had won the award, she was overwhelmed with joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Upon finding out that thunderstorms were headed for the area, Mickelson left Monday for San Diego.

The New York Times - Sports

Lynn's reaction upon finding out that his second-place finish at the PGA last year earned him a place here was, for me, the televisual moment of 2012.

The Guardian - Sport

I can can tell you that immediately upon finding out that our folks were in danger that my orders to my national security team were do whatever we need to do to make sure they're safe.

The Washington Post

I can tell you that immediately upon finding out that our folks were in danger, that my orders to my National Security team were do whatever we need to do to make sure they're safe.

The New York Times

One pregnant New Yorker, upon finding out that a piece of farmers' market cheese she had popped in her mouth was not pasteurized, refused to swallow it, holding it for 15 minutes until she was able to spit it out and brush her teeth.

The New York Times - Style

The women all make up upon finding out that Sophie runs a cleaning business.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In 2008, a man cited the show in court after pointing an air rifle at his wife upon finding out, on-air, that his seven-month-old child wasn't really his.

Vice

I remembered how, a couple months ago, I went on a first date with a girl who told me what her friend said upon finding out I was mixed Asian-Jewish: "That's like mixing average with small".

Vice

Given his profession, you might think that upon finding out what had happened, he would have understood his accident.

The New York Times

That fairy tale shattered upon finding out he had been carrying on a tawdry affair with our babysitter for the past seven years.

HuffPost

The police contacted my father who, upon finding out what my mother had done, confronted her in the kitchen later that week as she was making dinner.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon finding out that" to clearly establish a cause-and-effect relationship between discovering information and a subsequent action or feeling. This can add a sense of immediacy or surprise to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions that obscure who is doing the finding out. Instead of "It was discovered that...", use "Upon finding out that someone...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon finding out that" functions as a conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses the condition or event that leads to the main clause's action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon finding out that" functions as a conjunction phrase that sets up a cause-and-effect relationship between discovering something and the result that follows. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used, especially in the news and media. When writing, remember it can be more concise in certain context by changing the phrase into phrases like "after discovering that" or "after learning that". This phrase is a useful tool for establishing clear connections between events, making your writing more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after discovering that

Replaces "upon finding out" with a more straightforward temporal conjunction.

having learned that

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge as the trigger.

when it came to light that

Highlights the gradual process of something becoming known.

following the discovery that

Emphasizes sequence of events.

once it was revealed that

Emphasizes the act of revealing information, adding a layer of formality.

after it emerged that

Suggests the information was previously hidden or unclear.

on the revelation that

Formal alternative, emphasizing the moment of discovery.

as soon as they realized that

Highlights immediacy of the realization.

with the understanding that

Emphasizes a new understanding or awareness

subsequent to learning that

A formal and less common way to express the same idea.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "upon finding out that"?

You can use alternatives like "after discovering that", "once it was revealed that", or "when it came to light that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "upon finding out that" in formal writing?

Yes, "upon finding out that" is suitable for formal writing. It clearly indicates a sequence of events where discovery leads to a reaction or decision. However, consider more concise alternatives like "after learning that" if brevity is desired.

How does "upon finding out that" differ from "after finding out that"?

"Upon finding out that" implies a more immediate or direct consequence than "after finding out that". "Upon" suggests the action or realization occurs very close in time to the discovery, while "after" allows for a slightly longer interval.

Can "upon finding out that" be used to describe hypothetical situations?

Yes, "upon finding out that" can be used in hypothetical scenarios to describe what would happen if a particular piece of information were discovered. For example, "Upon finding out that the project was over budget, they would likely reconsider their strategy."