upon listen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'upon listen' is not correct and is not typically used in written English.
To use a phrase in this context, you could use the gerund phrase 'upon listening.' For example, you could say: "Upon listening to the energetic music, I immediately began to dance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Be wary, though, that many players frown upon "listen" servers where you have zero ping.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"All good design is based upon listening to the needs of the clients.

The New York Times

Upon listening, one is immediately transported by a sound that is both metropolitan and Caribbean.

Columbia University

As a woman, this was not an easy task but upon listening to the first few episodes, people started endorsing the idea of listening to the programme together and discussing the issues.

The Guardian

Your first feeling upon listening to Songs To Play might be one of disappointment, especially coming after The Evangelist, the masterpiece Forster had to make following McLennan's premature death in 2006.

The Guardian - Music

A good movie adds value to the music by way of ideas — the discovery of something in the music that wouldn't be apparent upon listening, or the use of it in a cinematic idea that's worthy of the composition.

The New Yorker

A good movie adds value to the music by way of ideas the discovery of something in the music that wouldn't be apparent upon listening, or the use of it in a cinematic idea that's worthy of the composition.

The New Yorker

Then, upon listening, users can give more of their rotation to certain genres, as well as rank specific songs and artists, upping the frequency with which that type of music will be played.

TechCrunch

Upon listening to "Tutti Frutti", Bowie would later say, "I had heard God".

Wikipedia

Upon listening to the record, Mustaine had Friedman come in to audition and hired him.

Wikipedia

In other words a type of "telepathy" exists based purely upon listening and watching.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using the grammatically correct and more common phrase "upon listening" or alternatives like "after listening" for clarity and better acceptance.

Common error

Do not use "upon listen" as it's grammatically incorrect. Always use "upon listening" or a similar, grammatically sound alternative to maintain credibility and clarity in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon listen" is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to function as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, but it fails because "listen" is not a gerund. Ludwig AI suggests using the correct gerund form, "upon listening."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon listen" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "upon listening". As Ludwig AI points out, this involves using the gerund form of the verb. While "upon listening" is relatively formal, alternatives like "after listening" or "when listening" offer less formal options. Due to its grammatical issues, "upon listen" should be avoided in formal writing, but it’s important to understand the intended meaning—something occurring as a result of the act of listening. The sources reflect limited and varied usage, highlighting the need for grammatical correctness. "Upon listening" is the accurate and more acceptable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after listening

This alternative replaces the preposition "upon" with "after", indicating a sequence of events where listening precedes something else.

on listening

Using "on" instead of "upon" offers a slightly less formal tone while still conveying the idea of something happening as a result of listening.

when listening

This alternative uses a temporal conjunction to indicate that something occurs during the act of listening.

while listening

Similar to "when listening", this option emphasizes the simultaneous nature of listening and another action.

as I listened

This transforms the phrase into a clause, specifying the subject and making the sentence more personal and descriptive.

during listening

This option uses a preposition to indicate the period while something is listened.

having listened

Using a perfect participle, this phrase emphasizes the completion of the listening action before something else happens.

after having listened

Similar to "having listened", but with added emphasis on the completion of the action.

through listening

This suggests that something is understood or achieved as a result of listening.

by means of listening

This option highlights that listening is the method by which something is accomplished.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "upon" with a verb?

The preposition "upon" typically precedes a gerund (verb ending in -ing). Therefore, the correct form is "upon listening", not "upon listen".

Is "upon listening" formal?

Yes, "upon listening" is considered relatively formal. In less formal contexts, you might prefer "after listening" or simply "when listening".

What can I say instead of "upon listening"?

You can use alternatives like "after listening", "when listening", or "on listening" depending on the context.

How does "upon listening" differ from "after listening"?

"Upon listening" implies a more immediate consequence or reaction compared to "after listening", which simply indicates a sequence of events. "Upon" often adds a sense of formality.