upon knowing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'upon knowing that' is correct and it can be used in written English.
The construction 'upon + gerund' is often used to talk about something that happens as soon as someone becomes aware of a fact or situation. For example: Upon knowing that his flight had been delayed, Jeff decided to check into a nearby hotel.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Upon knowing that Python is very favored among astronomers (click here to see the slog posts about Python) and that limits exist in Numerical Recipes (I didn't check the latest version published last year, though), probably IMSL is useful for mathematical and statistical analysis for astronomers.

Harvard University

And it has started happening again recently upon knowing that, in less than a year, I'll have my Master's degree.

HuffPost

The good kind of crazy, meanwhile, is the impulse that leads him to insist upon strapping himself to the outside of a giant airplane, because he knows that audiences will be just that more thrilled upon knowing that it is really him out there being buffeted in the breeze.

The New Yorker

As an author, she finds it interesting "how the nobility interacts with the servants, how the up-and-coming common man is looked down upon, knowing that a time will come when the aristocracy will lose some of its wonder".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And I know he died knowing that".

The New York Times

EdX has chosen to extend that perspective to its learning platform as well, knowing that drawing upon the global community of developers is an effective route to both transform and deliver the world's best and most accessible online and blended learning experience.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They learned to interact, and deescalate situations, knowing that lives depend upon their decisions.

HuffPost

Despite knowing that true illiteracy exists, I was still shocked to come upon it in real life.

The New York Times

Where was the harm in knowing that?

The New Yorker

(Give Sting credit for knowing that).

The New Yorker

Somehow, just knowing that helps.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon knowing that" to clearly link the acquisition of knowledge to a subsequent action or decision, ensuring a cause-and-effect relationship is evident in your writing.

Common error

While "upon knowing that" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound stilted. Use simpler alternatives like "after learning that" or "once it was known that" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon knowing that" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies the condition or time frame for the action in the main clause. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction uses 'upon + gerund' to indicate something that happens as soon as someone becomes aware of a fact or situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon knowing that" is a grammatically correct and functional phrase that connects the acquisition of knowledge with a subsequent action, according to Ludwig AI. Although relatively rare in overall usage, it's most commonly found in academic and news contexts, lending a formal tone to writing. To avoid sounding overly formal, consider using alternative phrases such as "after learning that" or "once it was known that" in more casual settings. Remember to use "upon knowing that" when you want to emphasize the immediacy of the connection between knowledge and action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once it was known that

Emphasizes the point in time when the knowledge became available.

after learning that

Directly indicates the action of gaining knowledge prior to the subsequent event.

having discovered that

Highlights the act of discovery as the trigger for the following action.

on the realization that

Focuses on the moment of realization as the cause.

in light of the fact that

Introduces the knowledge as a clarifying factor.

aware that

Implies that the subsequent action is influenced by the state of being informed.

with the understanding that

Highlights a mutual agreement or shared awareness.

now that it is known

Emphasizes the current state of knowledge and its effect.

because they knew that

Highlights that someone knew about something and took action.

understanding that

Suggests that someone has an awareness to be prepared.

FAQs

How can I use "upon knowing that" in a sentence?

You can use "upon knowing that" to connect the moment of gaining knowledge with a subsequent action or realization. For example: "Upon knowing that the project was delayed, they adjusted their plans."

What are some alternatives to "upon knowing that"?

Alternatives include "after learning that", "once it was known that", or "aware that", depending on the context.

Is "upon knowing that" formal or informal?

"Upon knowing that" tends to be more formal. In less formal contexts, consider using phrases like "after finding out that" or "once they knew that".

What's the difference between "upon knowing that" and "knowing that"?

"Upon knowing that" emphasizes the immediacy of the action following the acquisition of knowledge, while "knowing that" simply states a state of awareness. For instance, "Upon knowing that the deadline was extended, she felt relieved" suggests immediate relief, whereas "knowing that the deadline was extended, she felt relieved" implies a general awareness.