upon graduation

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon graduation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the period of time following the completion of an educational degree or program. For example, "Upon graduation, I plan to look for a job in the tech industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She is a college graduate who attempted a desk job upon graduation, but it didn't take.

The New York Times

A 1933 CCNY graduate, Professor Rosenthal joined the College's English faculty upon graduation.

The New York Times

Many students, upon graduation, enter the military.

The New Yorker

Upon graduation, Schatz returned to Hawaii.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Who had a job upon graduation.

The New Yorker

Upon graduation, a 60-month period begins.

The New York Times

Upon graduation, the family was broken up.

The New York Times - Sports

Will they choose a different career path upon graduation?

The New York Times - Magazine

Upon graduation, Soufan went to the New York bureau.

The New Yorker

Upon graduation, she stayed in Williamsburg and became intentionally homeless.

The New Yorker

Upon graduation, he worked for Nehring Brothers , Inc

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more concise style, consider using "post-graduation" as an alternative, especially in headings or summaries.

Common error

Avoid using "upon graduation" in very informal contexts; alternatives like "after graduating" might be more suitable for casual conversations or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon graduation" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an action or event. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it introduces what someone did immediately after completing their studies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon graduation" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the immediate aftermath of completing an academic degree. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While predominantly formal, its precise meaning differentiates it from alternatives like "after graduation", which has a broader scope. For clarity and impact, consider adopting this phrase in professional and academic writing to emphasize the timing of post-graduation activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after graduating

This alternative uses a gerund phrase instead of a prepositional phrase.

following graduation

Similar to "after graduating" but uses a different preposition.

on graduating

This alternative uses a preposition and a gerund.

post-graduation

This is a more concise, adjective-like phrase.

once they graduate

This uses a clause with a subject and verb.

subsequent to graduation

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the temporal sequence.

at the time of graduation

This is a more verbose and formal alternative.

after receiving a diploma

This specifies the completion with the reception of a diploma.

with degree in hand

This is a more figurative way to express the same idea.

graduation complete

An abbreviated phrasing, suitable in specific contexts like lists or reports.

FAQs

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

You can use "upon graduation" to specify what happens immediately after someone completes their studies. For example, "Upon graduation, she plans to travel the world."

What can I say instead of "upon graduation"?

Alternatives include "after graduating", "following graduation", or "post-graduation", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is "upon graduation" formal?

"Upon graduation" is considered relatively formal and is suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. Less formal alternatives like "after graduating" may be more appropriate for casual settings.

What's the difference between "upon graduation" and "after graduation"?

While both indicate a time following graduation, "upon graduation" implies a more immediate sequence of events. "After graduation" can refer to events occurring at any point after the graduation date, whereas "upon graduation" suggests something happening very soon afterward.