upon looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon looking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that someone takes after observing something. For example, "Upon looking at the towering mountain, the hiker felt a sense of awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Upon looking inside, they found "no weapons or explosives".

The New York Times - Books

It's an understandable intuitive reaction, but it's one based upon looking at the wrong information.

The New York Times

It depends upon looking at the program and asking: 'Has that money been worthwhile?

The New York Times

In fact, it only got confused once – upon looking for some Kanye West in the music section.

Independent

Upon looking into the patient's dietary habits, it was found that the discoloration of the skin was caused by an excess consumption of carrots and tomatoes.

The New Yorker

This image may be either real photographable or visible on a screen or virtual visible only upon looking into the lens, as in a microscope.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

But I was looking down upon myself.

HuffPost

Several participants reported feeling unworthy and looking down upon themselves.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Even the Bible salesman looked put-upon.

The New York Times - Magazine

They were looked upon.

The New Yorker

Upon arrival, things looked iffy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon looking" to clearly indicate that an action or realization immediately follows an observation. This provides a sense of immediacy and direct consequence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "upon looking" when simpler alternatives like "after seeing" or "on closer inspection" would be more concise and natural. The formality of "upon" can sometimes feel out of place in informal contexts. Consider the tone and audience when selecting the most appropriate phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon looking" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing and condition under which an action occurs. As Ludwig AI suggests, it sets the stage for an event that happens immediately after visual observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon looking" serves as a prepositional phrase that establishes a direct and immediate temporal link between visual observation and a subsequent action or realization. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and versatile. It's most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific texts, indicating a leaning towards neutral to formal contexts. While simpler alternatives exist, "upon looking" adds a touch of sophistication and precision. Be mindful of the tone when selecting this phrase, as its formality may not always be appropriate in more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on closer inspection

Adds emphasis to the level of detail in the observation.

after observing

Changes the preposition and verb form to emphasize the observation as a preceding action.

after taking a look

Uses a more casual expression for the act of observing.

following examination

Replaces "looking" with "examination" to imply a more formal or detailed inspection.

once we observed

Introduces a subject and verb, shifting the focus to who is observing.

after scrutinizing

Suggests a careful and critical observation.

having viewed

Uses a more formal and passive construction.

subsequent to seeing

Replaces "looking" with "seeing" and uses a formal preposition.

following a glance

Implies a brief or quick look.

once having considered

More verbose and implies deeper thought, not just visual observation.

FAQs

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

Use "upon looking" to indicate that something happens immediately after someone observes something. For example, "Upon looking at the data, the scientist discovered a new trend".

What are some alternatives to "upon looking"?

You can use alternatives like "after observing", "on closer inspection", or "after taking a look" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "upon looking" formal or informal?

"Upon looking" is generally considered a more formal phrasing. In informal contexts, phrases like "after seeing" or "when I looked" might be more appropriate.

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

While similar, "upon looking" suggests a more immediate consequence following the observation than "after looking", which can imply a slight delay. "Upon" emphasizes the direct connection between seeing and the resulting action or realization.