upon further inspection

USAGE SUMMARY

'upon further inspection' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about examining something in greater detail, or making a closer examination. For example: "Upon further inspection, it became clear that the issue was caused by a blocked drain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But upon further inspection, she was pronounced dead.

The New York Times

Upon further inspection, though, certain complicating details emerged.

The New York Times

They seemed almost quaint, but upon further inspection were wildly eccentric.

The New Yorker

Upon further inspection, police discovered the bomb in the back seat and defused it.

The New Yorker

Alas, upon further inspection, I wasn't about to become her guinea pig, either.

The New Yorker

Upon further inspection, I realized that many other lullabies harbor this element of darkness: Melancholy.

The Washington Post

And upon further inspection, there are a few reasons for skepticism.

The Washington Post

Unfortunately for Pence, the stat quickly falls apart upon further inspection.

The Washington Post

He asks questions that on the surface seem simple, but, upon further inspection, are extraordinarily complex.

Columbia University

Upon further inspection, police discovered the bomb in the back seat — and defused it.

The New Yorker

Upon further inspection, unfortunately, it turns out to be one of his testicles, perfectly healthy (if severely misplaced).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon further inspection" to introduce a discovery or realization that arises from a more detailed or careful examination of something. It adds a sense of thoroughness and attention to detail to your writing.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "upon further inspection" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "on closer examination" or "after a detailed review" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon further inspection" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause. It indicates the point at which a more detailed examination leads to a new understanding or discovery. Ludwig examples showcase its use in introducing findings derived from detailed scrutiny.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon further inspection" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce findings derived from a more detailed examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-suited for formal and professional writing, particularly in contexts such as news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "on closer examination" exist, "upon further inspection" lends a sense of thoroughness to your writing. However, avoid overuse to maintain reader engagement. The phrase implies that the initial assessment was somehow lacking, necessitating a deeper level of scrutiny to reveal more accurate insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on closer examination

Replaces "inspection" with "examination" for a more general term.

on closer scrutiny

Similar to 'on closer examination', but emphasizes thoroughness.

upon closer observation

Similar to 'after detailed observation', focuses on the act of watching.

after a more thorough look

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of a detailed review.

after a detailed review

Emphasizes the comprehensive assessment of something.

with deeper scrutiny

Emphasizes the critical and careful nature of the examination.

after detailed observation

Focuses on the act of carefully watching and noting details.

following a detailed analysis

Highlights the analytical aspect of the examination.

with more in-depth investigation

Highlights the investigative nature of the examination.

once thoroughly assessed

Focuses on the completion of a comprehensive evaluation.

FAQs

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

Use "upon further inspection" to introduce new findings or insights that were not immediately apparent. For example, "The initial report seemed promising; however, "upon further inspection", several critical flaws were discovered".

What are some alternatives to "upon further inspection"?

You can use alternatives such as "on closer examination", "after a more thorough look", or "with deeper scrutiny" to convey a similar meaning while varying your language. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the examination process.

Is it more appropriate to use "upon further inspection" or "after further inspection"?

"Upon further inspection" is generally preferred in formal writing as it sounds more sophisticated. "After further inspection" is also correct but may be perceived as slightly more casual.

What does "upon further inspection" imply about the initial assessment?

"Upon further inspection" often implies that the initial assessment was either incomplete or inaccurate, and that a more detailed examination was necessary to reveal the true nature of something. It suggests a deeper level of inquiry.