upon hearing this

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon hearing this" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: Upon hearing this unexpected news, Jane's heart sank as she realized her plans for the weekend would have to be canceled.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Upon hearing this, Scott smiled.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon hearing this, Old Zhao nearly chokes.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon hearing this, Vaughn blew up.

The New York Times - Magazine

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

The New York Times

Upon hearing this I felt hurt, embarrassed and diminished.

The New York Times

Upon hearing this the master casts him out, accusing him of being wicked and lazy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Upon hearing this, Ms. Saccurato said, "I'm a warrior with a lot of work to do".

The New York Times

" Upon hearing this, the animals in the forest were sharply divided.

The New Yorker

"Now I'm remembering why I forgot about her," the Captain said, upon hearing this report.

The New York Times

Upon hearing this, another mom said she had tried getting into the crib, but didn't fit.

The New York Times

Upon hearing this I was tempted to throw the iPad at the wall.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon hearing this" to clearly indicate a direct cause-and-effect relationship between hearing something and a subsequent action or reaction. It adds a touch of formality and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "upon hearing this" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "when I heard this" or "after hearing this" may be more appropriate for a relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon hearing this" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an adverbial clause of time. As evidenced by Ludwig and its examples, it sets the stage for a description of an action or reaction that occurs immediately following the act of hearing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon hearing this" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate a direct consequence or reaction to auditory information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and media contexts. While versatile, it leans towards a more formal register, suggesting that simpler alternatives might be more appropriate in casual settings. When writing, use this phrase to create a clear connection between an auditory event and its immediate aftermath.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on hearing this

Slightly more concise and less formal.

after hearing this

Focuses on the temporal sequence, less emphasis on the immediate reaction.

when this was heard

Passive voice, shifting focus away from the actor.

at the sound of this

Emphasizes the auditory aspect of the trigger.

listening to this

Focuses on the act of listening, implies a more active engagement.

once this was audible

Highlights the audibility of the trigger, more formal.

the moment this was announced

Specific to announcements, less general than "upon hearing this".

as soon as this was audible

Emphasizes immediacy and audibility of the trigger.

hearing this information

Specifically references information, less general than 'this'.

when informed of this

Implies being formally told something, more passive.

FAQs

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

Use "upon hearing this" to introduce a consequence or reaction to something that was just heard. For example, "Upon hearing this, she burst into tears."

What phrases are similar to "upon hearing this"?

You can use phrases like "on hearing this", "after hearing this", or "when this was heard" depending on the context.

Is "upon hearing this" formal or informal?

"Upon hearing this" leans towards a more formal register. In informal contexts, alternatives like "when I heard this" might be more suitable.

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

"Upon hearing this" implies a more immediate reaction compared to "after hearing this", which suggests a sequence of events with a possible delay between hearing something and reacting to it.