upon his failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon his failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a consequence or result that occurs as a direct result of someone's failure. Example: "Upon his failure to meet the deadline, the project was delayed indefinitely."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Having failed to reach the finals of the 100 m sprint or relay, he reflected upon his failure to make the podium in Beijing: "[I felt the baton] then I went to grab it and there was nothing.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Those dates are intercut with scenes of Ruby in class, recasting his failures as outrages perpetuated upon him by an unjust romantic universe.

The New Yorker

The third-party will unconditionally pay an agreed sum to the Minister upon his request following the failure of the mining company to meet environmental commitments (Government of Western Australia 2010).

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

In 1614 he assisted Marie de Médicis in her struggle against the nobles, but, upon her failure in 1617, he remained loyal to King Louis XIII.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A reporter for The Times noted that as Buchanan sat and waited for Lincoln to take his oath, he "sighed audibly, and frequently, but whether from reflection upon the failure of his administration, I can't say".

The New York Times

Three and a half decades later, the theories that his team stumbled upon by failure would save an estimated billions of dollars in medical costs and affect countless young parents' lives.

Huffington Post

Controlling crime was his first priority, the issue upon which his success or failure would be judged.

The New Yorker

She reflects upon Siegfried and upon the tragic failure of Wotan's plan that this great hero would become the earth's salvation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon the failure of her efforts, she exhibited paranoia and other signs of mental illness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ads listed more than 400 creditors and said: "You may have additional rights of recovery based upon a failure by the debtors to make truthful disclosure".

The New York Times

While remarking upon the failure of the whole, cultural arbiters may ponder the significance of "Viva Forever!" in smaller ways, as well.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upon his failure", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the direct consequence or result of the failure. This helps maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "upon his failure" when a simple "after his failure" or "following his failure" would be more appropriate. "Upon" often implies a more immediate or direct consequence than a general sequence of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon his failure" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the timing or condition under which an action occurs. It introduces the circumstance of someone's failure as the trigger for a subsequent event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

27%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon his failure" is a grammatically sound construction used to denote a consequence or result stemming from someone's lack of success. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears in diverse contexts, ranging from news to scientific publications. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the connection between the failure and its outcome is direct and immediate. Consider alternatives like "after his failure" for simpler expression, and avoid overuse in contexts where a more general sequence of events is described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after his unsuccessful attempt

This alternative replaces "failure" with "unsuccessful attempt", emphasizing the process rather than the state.

following his inability to succeed

Replaces "failure" with a more elaborate construction centered around "inability to succeed", offering a formal tone.

because of his defeat

Uses "defeat" to directly represent the failure, framing it as a loss or setback.

as a result of his shortcomings

Shifts the focus slightly to the "shortcomings" that led to the failure, implying inherent limitations.

due to his lack of achievement

Highlights the absence of accomplishment as the cause of the subsequent event or situation.

on account of his non-performance

Focuses on the lack of expected performance, suitable in contexts where specific duties or expectations were unmet.

subsequent to his collapse

Employs "collapse" to convey a more dramatic and total failure, applicable when there's a significant breakdown.

given his deficiency

This alternative places emphasis on a fundamental deficiency, indicating a lack of a necessary quality or resource.

stemming from his lapse

Uses "lapse" to suggest a temporary failure of judgment or action, implying a moment of error.

following his default

Applies "default" to denote a failure to meet an obligation or expectation, commonly used in financial or legal contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "upon his failure" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "subsequent to his failure" or "following his inability to succeed". These options offer a more sophisticated and polished style while maintaining the original meaning.

Is "upon his failure" interchangeable with "because of his failure"?

While both phrases indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, "upon his failure" often implies a more immediate consequence. "Because of his failure" is a broader causal statement, whereas "upon his failure" suggests a direct result that immediately follows the unsuccessful event.

What is a simpler way to express "upon his failure"?

A simpler and more common way to express the same idea is "after his failure". This option is straightforward and suitable for most contexts, maintaining clarity without unnecessary formality.

When is it best to use "upon his failure" instead of "after his failure"?

"Upon his failure" is best used when emphasizing the immediacy or directness of the consequence. If the result happens almost instantly or as a direct result of the failure, "upon" is the more fitting choice. Otherwise, "after his failure" is generally more versatile.