upon its face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon its face" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something appears to be true or valid based solely on its outward appearance. Example: "Upon its face, the contract seems to be legally binding, but further examination reveals several issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

If the indictment be not demurrable upon its face, it would not become so by the addition of a bill of particulars.

Cornell University

The question there decided was the the lower federal court had properly dismissed a bill in equity since it appeared upon its face that the act complained of was forbidden by the state legislation.

Cornell University

But we do not find it necessary to express an opinion whether, if the act of 1887 were plainly applicable upon its face to antecedent policies, it would be objectionable as impairing the obligation of contracts entered into between the insurance company and insured, inasmuch as we are clearly of opinion that it should not be held to apply to such unless its language imperatively demand it.

Cornell University

If the statute be viewed as one regulating the exercise of the correlative rights of surface owners with respect to a common source of supply of oil and gas, the conclusion that the statute is valid upon its face, that is, considered apart from any attempted application of it in administration which might violate constitutional right, is fully supported by the decisions of this Court.

Cornell University

We think the court below was right in holding the ordinance quoted in Note 1 void upon its face.

Cornell University

He was entitled at that time to assert his constitutional right by virtue of the invalidity of the statute upon its face.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Intended as a challenge to Indonesia's religious communities, upon its release faced with controversy.

Wikipedia

Changing the translation from "upon the deep" to "upon the face of the deep" (and to "upon the face of the waters") is no great accomplishment.

The Economist

However, upon its release, the video faced backlash and criticism from festivalgoers, fans and women on the festival's lineup.

Vice

It is carved on its upper face and upon all four sides.

Wikipedia

What?" he deadpans, a look of utter innocence upon his face.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon its face" in formal or legal contexts when you want to indicate that something appears to be true or valid based solely on its initial assessment. For instance, when evaluating a contract or a statute.

Common error

Avoid using "upon its face" in informal writing or conversations. This phrase is best suited for legal documents, formal reports, or academic papers. In casual settings, opt for simpler alternatives like "on the surface" or "at first glance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon its face" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the basis of an assessment or judgment. It suggests that something is being evaluated based solely on its apparent or superficial characteristics, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

50%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon its face" is a formal prepositional phrase used to indicate that something appears a certain way based on initial observation. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct, making it a reliable choice for formal writing. It is commonly found in academic and news contexts, suggesting its appropriateness for analytical and descriptive writing. For more informal settings, alternatives such as "on the surface" or "at first glance" may be more suitable. Understanding the context and formality level is crucial when deciding to use "upon its face" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prima facie

A legal term indicating that something is accepted as correct until proven otherwise.

on the surface

Focuses on the immediately apparent aspects, without deeper analysis.

at first glance

Highlights the initial impression or observation.

from appearances

Emphasizes that the conclusion is drawn solely from what is visible.

to all appearances

Similar to 'from appearances', but slightly more formal.

by all accounts

Suggests a consensus of opinions based on available information.

seemingly

Indicates something appears a certain way, though this might not be the reality.

ostensibly

Implies that something is presented as true, but there may be underlying reasons.

apparently

Signifies that something is understood or known based on evidence.

in outward aspect

Focuses on the external presentation or form.

FAQs

How can I use "upon its face" in a sentence?

Use "upon its face" to describe something that seems valid or apparent from its initial appearance. For example, "Upon its face, the document appears to be authentic."

What's a simpler way to say "upon its face"?

Alternatives to "upon its face" include "on the surface", "at first glance", or "seemingly", depending on the specific context.

Is "upon its face" appropriate for informal writing?

No, "upon its face" is considered formal. For informal contexts, use phrases like "at first glance" or "on the surface" instead.

What does "prima facie" mean, and how is it related to "upon its face"?

"Prima facie" is a legal term similar to "upon its face", meaning something is accepted as correct until proven otherwise. Both phrases indicate an initial assessment based on available information; "prima facie" is more strictly a legal term.