upon inspection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon inspection" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to mean "after careful examination." For example, "Upon inspection, it appeared that the suspect had been robbed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Consignments are routinely inspected and samples analyzed upon inspection.

Globalization and Health

Upon inspection, this proved true.

The New York Times

But upon inspection, many inscriptions were written in Hebrew.

The New York Times - Travel

Later, a cockroach found on the bedsheet is, upon inspection, "a tawny lozenge".

The Guardian - Books

But upon inspection, the Buildings Department found most of those complaints unfounded.

The New York Times

Their bold declaration of so-called facts have quickly dissolved upon inspection into vague conjecture.

The New York Times

Upon inspection, Mr. Skurski found mouse droppings, similar in appearance to black rice.

The New York Times

For example, upon inspection, a sign for "sea nails" revealed that snails are for sale.

The New York Times

Upon inspection, it was found to contain two freezer bags of cocaine.

Cornell University

Facts presented by Mr. Nakoula as rock solid tend to weaken upon inspection.

The New York Times

Upon inspection, another small rabbit can be seen waiting in the back, anxiously clutching a clarinet.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon inspection" to add a touch of formality when describing an examination or assessment, especially in reports or official documents.

Common error

Avoid using "on inspection" instead of "upon inspection". While "on inspection" might be understood, "upon inspection" is the more grammatically correct and widely accepted form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon inspection" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the result or finding of an examination. It typically modifies a verb, indicating when or how something was determined, as illustrated by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon inspection" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase that introduces a finding or result derived from an examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it generally means "after careful examination". It maintains a neutral to slightly formal tone and finds frequent application in news media, scientific literature, and academic writing. While versatile, it's crucial to differentiate it from similar phrases like "under inspection". Remember that while "on inspection" is sometimes used, "upon inspection" is the preferred and more grammatically correct choice. This phrase serves to underscore the direct connection between observation and conclusion, adding weight to any statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on closer examination

Highlights that a more detailed or careful examination took place.

after examination

Replaces "upon inspection" with a more straightforward term for the act of examining.

with further analysis

Emphasizes the analytical aspect of the examination

following review

Emphasizes the process of reviewing something before making a judgment.

having assessed

Focuses on the act of making an assessment after looking at something.

after scrutiny

Indicates a thorough and critical examination.

in the wake of scrutiny

Similar to 'after scrutiny', indicating a detailed and critical examination

under investigation

Suggests a more formal or official examination is underway.

once checked

A simpler, more informal way to say something was examined.

by means of observation

Emphasizes that the conclusion was reached through observing.

FAQs

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

Use "upon inspection" to indicate that something was discovered or determined after examining something. For example, "Upon inspection, the device was found to be faulty."

What are some alternatives to "upon inspection"?

You can use alternatives like "after examination", "following review", or "on closer examination".

Is it more appropriate to say "upon inspection" or "after inspection"?

"Upon inspection" carries a slightly more formal tone and often implies a more immediate or direct consequence of the inspection, while "after inspection" is more general and refers to a time after the inspection occurred.

What is the difference between "upon inspection" and "under inspection"?

"Upon inspection" means that the examination has already occurred, and something was discovered as a result. "Under inspection" means the examination is currently taking place.