upon hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon hearing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate the immediate reaction to hearing something. For example, "Upon hearing the news, she burst into tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Ribble frowned upon hearing that.

The New York Times

Upon hearing this, Scott smiled.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon hearing this, Old Zhao nearly chokes.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon hearing these ideas, Weir shuddered.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon hearing this, Vaughn blew up.

The New York Times - Magazine

Joanna panicked upon hearing the broadcast.

The New Yorker

Upon hearing the news, we all wept.

The New York Times

Russell smiled upon hearing the news.

The New York Times - Books

"What do you want?" he said, upon hearing my voice.

The New Yorker

"Oh, my God," Goldberg told Arlene, upon hearing the story.

The New Yorker

Upon hearing this, Mr. Hopkins throws up his hands.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon hearing" to emphasize the immediacy of a reaction to something that was said or announced. It often adds a sense of formality or dramatic effect to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "upon hearing" in very informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation or writing; consider using alternatives like "when I heard" or "after hearing" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon hearing" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to introduce an adverbial clause indicating the time or condition under which an action occurs. This introductory phrase modifies the main clause, setting the stage for the described reaction. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is grammatically correct and commonly found.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon hearing" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase that signals an immediate reaction to auditory input. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts and frequently appears in news and media sources. While effective for emphasizing the connection between hearing and reacting, remember to use it judiciously in informal settings, where alternatives may sound more natural. Consider using alternatives phrases like "on hearing" and "after hearing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on hearing

A more concise and slightly less formal alternative, omitting the preposition "upon".

after hearing

Indicates a temporal sequence, focusing on the time elapsed after the act of hearing.

when he heard

Transforms the phrase into a subordinate clause, explicitly stating the subject.

once she heard

Similar to "when he heard", but emphasizes the completion of the hearing action.

hearing

A shortened version, implying immediacy and direct consequence.

at the sound of

Focuses on the auditory aspect, emphasizing the specific sound that triggered the reaction.

the moment I heard

Highlights the instantaneous nature of the reaction immediately following the auditory input.

as soon as they heard

Emphasizes the quickness of the reaction after the hearing event occurs.

with the reception of the news

A formal alternative that focuses on receiving information.

at the announcement of

Specific to announcements, focusing on the public declaration.

FAQs

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

Use "upon hearing" to describe someone's immediate reaction to something they've just heard. For example, "Upon hearing the news, she burst into tears".

What are some alternatives to "upon hearing"?

You can use alternatives such as "after hearing", "when he heard", or "on hearing" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "upon hearing" formal or informal?

"Upon hearing" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "after hearing" or "when I heard". It's best suited for formal writing or situations where a slightly elevated tone is appropriate.

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

While both phrases indicate a sequence of events, "upon hearing" suggests a more immediate reaction. "After hearing" simply indicates that something happened subsequently, without necessarily implying immediacy.