upon listening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon listening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a reaction or thought that occurs as a result of listening to something, such as music, a speech, or a conversation. Example: "Upon listening to the lecture, I realized how much I had to learn about the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 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

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

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

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

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

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

WikiHow

Student followed agreed-upon rules, listening and building upon partners' thoughts rarely or not at all.

Duke University

Student followed agreed-upon rules, listening and building upon partners' thoughts some of the time.

Duke University

Student followed agreed-upon rules, listening and building upon partners' thoughts all the time.

Duke University

Student followed agreed-upon rules, listening and building upon partners' thoughts most of the time.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a personal reaction to music or speech, consider "after listening" or "as I listened" for a more direct and relatable voice.

Common error

Avoid using "upon listening" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound stilted or pretentious; opt for simpler alternatives like "after hearing" or "when I listened".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon listening" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a circumstance or condition. It sets the stage for a subsequent action or realization that occurs as a direct result of the act of listening. Ludwig AI confirms that "upon listening" indicates a reaction or thought occurring after hearing something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

29%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon listening" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a reaction or understanding that occurs after hearing something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for formal writing, though alternatives like "after hearing" may be preferable in informal contexts. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as in academic sources. While grammatically sound, it's essential to consider the tone and audience when choosing between "upon listening" and more casual alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after hearing

Emphasizes the action of hearing as a precursor to a reaction or understanding.

on hearing

A more concise and formal way of saying "after hearing".

after listening

Similar to "after hearing" but specifically refers to paying attention to sound.

when listening

Focuses on the time of listening as the point when something occurs.

by listening

Highlights listening as the means by which something is achieved or understood.

as I listened

More personal and descriptive, indicating a subjective experience.

having listened to

Indicates that the action of listening is completed before the subsequent event.

following the listening

More formal, suggesting a sequence of events.

once I listened

Similar to "when listening" but with a sense of completion.

from listening

Emphasizes that the information or feeling came directly from the act of listening.

FAQs

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

"Upon listening" is typically followed by a noun or pronoun, and then the main clause. For example: "Upon listening to the recording, I realized the mistake." You can also phrase it as "Upon listening, I realized..."

What can I say instead of "upon listening"?

You can use alternatives like "after hearing", "on hearing", or "after listening" depending on the context. The choice often depends on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "upon hearing" instead of "upon listening"?

Yes, "upon hearing" is a valid alternative, especially when the specific act of 'listening' isn't emphasized. "Hearing" is a more general term encompassing any auditory perception, while "listening" implies focused attention.

What is the difference between "upon listening" and "after listening"?

"Upon listening" has a slightly more formal and immediate connotation than "after listening". "Upon listening" suggests that something happened immediately as a result of the listening, whereas "after listening" simply indicates a sequence of events.