upon inspecting

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon inspecting" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used when someone has physically inspected or examined something, or is reporting on the results of such an inspection. For example: "Upon inspecting the premises, the landlord discovered extensive damage to the property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Upon inspecting the leaf, he pronounced it authentic.

The New York Times

"It's too glamorous," he said, upon inspecting it.

The New Yorker

(Once, a lawyer-friend, Alex Wang, upon inspecting the innards of his own newly-purchased Turtle King, pronounced it a "tort lawyer's dream").

The New Yorker

When sued for reckless aspersions — according to Behrman, he remarked "I sniff fresh paint!" upon inspecting a collector's non-Duveen — he relished the ensuing courtroom dramatics, win or lose.

The New Yorker

Morgan, upon inspecting the Titanic's massive engine system, muses, Dazzled, I was thinking that if the fate of man was connected to the order of the universe, and if one could equate the scientific workings of the engines with just such a reciprocal universe, why then, nothing could go wrong with my world.

The New Yorker

When he arrived at U.S. customs, with his wife Vera and their four-year-old son, Dmitri, on the last boat out of Nazi-occupied France (as a Jew, Vera was in special danger), Nabokov had an auspicious encounter with a U.S. border official, who, upon inspecting the family's luggage, saw a pair of boxing gloves.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Once upon a time, there was a good explanation for this: when FSIS first started inspecting poultry, quality assurance was thought to be the best way of keeping the public safe and holding industry accountable.

Huffington Post

After inspecting the achievement, President Lincoln said, "I have seen the most remarkable structure that human eyes ever rested upon".

The New York Times

He was inspecting bolts.

The New Yorker

(Any fake chain saws, swords or machine guns must be inspected upon arrival at the "weapons check desk").

The New York Times

Nasa has designed the capsule to take up to six astronauts into deep space, and its 16ft-wide heat shield and sophisticated service module are among the features whose durability will be inspected upon return.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon inspecting" to create a formal and professional tone, especially when reporting findings or observations. For instance, "Upon inspecting the accounts, discrepancies were immediately apparent."

Common error

Avoid using "upon inspecting" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "after checking" or "when I looked at" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon inspecting" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the timing or condition under which an action occurs. It sets the stage for a statement of observation or discovery. This use is confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

41%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon inspecting" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase suitable for formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it introduces a finding or observation resulting from a careful examination. While not appropriate for casual use, it lends authority to statements in professional, scientific, or news-related writing. Ludwig's analysis of usage patterns highlights its prevalence in science and news reporting, demonstrating its value when presenting methodical findings with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on closer inspection

Highlights a more detailed look at something.

upon closer examination

Highlights a more thorough analysis of something.

after examining

Focuses on the action of examining something after it has already happened.

on examination of

Highlights the act of examining something, often in a formal context.

after reviewing

Emphasizes a comprehensive look at something.

following a check of

Implies a procedural verification or assessment.

after a thorough review

Implies a very comprehensive and detailed check.

once having assessed

Stresses the completion of an evaluation.

subsequent to surveying

Formal, indicating a detailed overview preceded the action.

after scrutinizing

Suggests a very careful and thorough examination.

FAQs

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

Use "upon inspecting" to introduce a finding or observation that results from a careful examination. For example, "Upon inspecting the data, we found a significant correlation." It is best suited for formal contexts.

What's a more informal way to say "upon inspecting"?

For less formal situations, alternatives such as "after checking", "when looking at", or "once I examined" may be more appropriate.

Is "upon inspecting" interchangeable with "after inspecting"?

While similar, "upon inspecting" often implies a more immediate or formal observation than "after inspecting". The phrase "after inspecting" suggests a sequence of events, while "upon inspecting" emphasizes the moment of discovery.

Can "upon inspecting" be used in all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "upon inspecting" is best reserved for formal or professional writing. In more casual contexts, consider alternatives like "when I checked" or "after looking at".