upon first hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon first hearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an initial reaction or impression when someone first listens to something, such as music or a speech. Example: "Upon first hearing the symphony, I was captivated by its emotional depth and complexity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"Irving," he said upon first hearing the song, "you won't have to worry about that one".

The New York Times - Books

UMI SELAH, executive director of the Dream Defenders: The story, upon first hearing it, didn't seem too different to me.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was the attitude that Swift was satirizing when he had Gulliver, upon first hearing of the Struldbruggs, rhapsodize over the possibility of immortality.

The New Yorker

Few memories match the ones including the young Ali, who upon first hearing a black man speak out against racism in Harlem wondered: "How can he talk like that?

The New York Times - Books

But I'll admit that upon first hearing the name of his play, I thought irritably, "How the ___ am I going to write about it?" As you see, I have already devoted much space-consuming ink to my quandary.

The New York Times

While the idea of sending astronauts aloft never to return is jarring upon first hearing, the rationale for one-way trips into space has both historical and practical roots.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Attend the first hearing.

WikiHow

You could imagine the correspondents for Pedantry Corner — Private Eye's fractious corrections department — grumbling, upon the fifth hearing of the words "I'd like to thank," "Well, bloody thank him, then!" A statue of the Duke of Wellington presided over the room.

The New Yorker

Frankly, when she first heard of the young protesters descending upon Zuccotti Park, she reacted like a New Yorker.

The New York Times

First heard about evolution 2 1 0 0 1 1 2 1 8  16.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The government called upon a former army general to hold a second hearing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon first hearing" to describe an immediate or initial reaction to information received through listening. It often sets the stage for explaining a subsequent change in opinion or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "upon first hearing" in very informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "when I first heard" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon first hearing" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the timing of an action or reaction. As Ludwig confirms, it's a grammatically correct way to introduce an initial impression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon first hearing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that describes an initial reaction to something heard. As Ludwig confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from News & Media to scientific discussions, and presents a valuable means of introducing initial reactions. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings, as simpler alternatives might be preferable in casual conversations. When aiming for clarity and a touch of formality in your writing, "upon first hearing" serves as a reliable choice for setting the stage and providing context for subsequent thoughts or actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the first hearing

Uses "at" instead of "upon", slightly less formal.

initially upon hearing

Adds emphasis to the initial aspect of the hearing.

at the initial hearing

Replaces "first" with "initial", focusing on the beginning of the hearing process. Slightly more formal.

when initially hearing

Uses "when" to introduce the action and "initially" to specify the timing of hearing. Slightly less formal.

on the first listen

Specifically refers to auditory experiences and uses "listen" instead of "hearing".

when it was first heard

Changes the structure to a passive voice, emphasizing the action of hearing.

at the outset of hearing

More formal, using "outset" to refer to the beginning.

the first time I heard

More colloquial and personal, specifying the subject who is hearing.

on first acquaintance

More formal and can be used in broader contexts beyond just hearing, relating to initial exposure.

as soon as one hears

Emphasizes the immediacy of the reaction following the hearing.

FAQs

What does "upon first hearing" mean?

The phrase "upon first hearing" means immediately after hearing something for the first time. It's used to describe an initial reaction or impression.

How can I use "upon first hearing" in a sentence?

You can use "upon first hearing" to introduce a reaction or thought that occurred when you initially heard something. For example: "Upon first hearing the news, I was shocked."

What are some alternatives to "upon first hearing"?

Alternatives include "at first listen", "when I first heard", "initially upon hearing", or "at the first hearing", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "at first hearing" or "upon first hearing"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "upon first hearing" is slightly more formal than "at first hearing". The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.