upon getting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon getting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action that occurs immediately after another action, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "Upon getting the news of her promotion, she couldn't contain her excitement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Success depends upon getting a young reader to linger.

The New York Times - Books

Upon getting her into bed, he fumbles with her bra strap.

The Guardian

Colonels Padalka and Fincke shouted "Great!" and "Hurray!" upon getting news that their repair had worked.

The New York Times

Upon getting out of the plane at Otis, Murrow gratefully accepted a drink of whiskey.

The New Yorker

Upon getting out, he learned that Bobyshev and Basmanova had been together on New Year's at a friend's dacha.

The New Yorker

A serious organised crime offender would be automatically hit with a control order upon getting out of jail.

The Guardian

Brown's hopes of staying in office depended upon getting the Lib Dems to go into coalition with Labour.

The Guardian

My husband plays Sudoku on his phone almost immediately upon getting in bed and then first thing in the morning.

The Guardian - Tech

Many of them have spent thousands of dollars just trying to get a diagnosis and often cry upon getting tested.

The New York Times - Magazine

Upon getting an answering machine they played an automated message while using a second phone to make a new call.

The Guardian

Australia's economic future depends upon getting smarter, this means investing in the skills and knowledge of our workforce.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon getting" to denote a sense of immediacy or formal sequence between two actions. It often adds a touch of sophistication to your writing, but be mindful of the context. It is better suited for formal writing than casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "upon getting" in casual or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "after getting" or "when getting" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon getting" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing an action that immediately follows another. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it setting up subsequent events or reactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon getting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that establishes a temporal relationship, denoting immediacy or consequence. According to Ludwig, it is particularly common in news, science, and wiki contexts. While its formality leans towards neutral, it adds sophistication when employed appropriately. When aiming to express sequential actions clearly and formally, "upon getting" is an effective choice, but remember that it may sound unnatural if overused in casual settings. Simpler alternatives, like "after getting", might be more adequate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately after receiving

Directly describes the timing of the action.

after obtaining

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of acquiring something.

on gaining

Emphasizes the act of gaining possession.

once acquiring

Implies a point in time after acquisition.

following receipt

Similar to "on receipt of" but less formal.

on receipt of

A formal phrase highlighting the act of receiving.

after securing

Highlights the effort in obtaining something.

subsequent to obtaining

A more elaborate and formal alternative.

with the acquisition of

Highlights that something new has been added.

as soon as one gets

Highlights the immediacy of the action.

FAQs

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

Use "upon getting" to indicate that something happens immediately or shortly after something else is received or obtained. For example, "Upon getting the job offer, she celebrated with her family."

What are some alternatives to "upon getting"?

You can use alternatives like "after receiving", "once acquiring", or "immediately after receiving" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "upon getting" or "after getting"?

"Upon getting" is more formal and emphasizes the immediacy of the event, while "after getting" is more general and can refer to events that happen sometime later. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "upon getting" and "on getting"?

While similar, "upon getting" typically suggests a more direct and immediate consequence compared to "on getting". "On getting" might imply a slightly more extended period or less direct connection. For example, "Upon getting the news, he left immediately" versus "On getting older, he appreciated the small things more."