upon obtaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon obtaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happens after acquiring or receiving something. Example: "Upon obtaining the necessary permits, we can begin construction on the new building."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Upon obtaining good agreement, a design chart was developed.

Geotextiles and Geomembranes

For success in that undertaking depends upon obtaining accurate, reliable information from the public.

The Guardian - Opinion

Upon obtaining this written certification, the student is permitted to schedule the University oral examination.

Stanford University

9. Advance payments shall be made hereunder only upon obtaining adequate security.

Cornell University

Entrance into secondary school is contingent upon obtaining the Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education by passing a national exam.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Petrovski, of mixed Australian and Malaysian heritage, played for NSW Premier League club Sydney Olympic before moving to Malaysia upon obtaining his passport.

The Guardian - Sport

Spouses and immediate family members of H-1B visa holders can come to the U.S. upon obtaining an H-4 visa.

Harvard Business Review

Optimisation of pre-labelling simulated vaccine formulations focused upon obtaining distinguishable fluorescence of amyloid co-adsorbed to its ABA, over the shortest possible time period.

Nature

Optimum design of isolated units or fields of heliostats is depend upon obtaining realistic design wind loads.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Upon obtaining his M.D. at Liège University, Belgium, in 1928, Claude began research at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (now Rockefeller University) in New York City.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon obtaining informed consent, semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon obtaining" to create a sense of formality and immediacy. It's especially suitable for legal, academic, or technical writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "upon obtaining" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "after getting" or "once you have" are often more appropriate and sound less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon obtaining" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a condition or event that must be met before a subsequent action can occur. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly connects actions in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

19%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon obtaining" is a prepositional phrase that means "after acquiring" or "once you have received something". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The analysis reveals that it is most common in scientific, news, and academic writing, lending a formal and precise tone. While versatile, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal contexts where simpler alternatives are more suitable. Remember to prioritize clarity and appropriateness in your writing. Ludwig confirms its correctness, offering a solid foundation for its confident use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after acquiring

A more straightforward and common alternative to "upon obtaining", suitable for most contexts.

once you obtain

Similar in meaning but uses a clause structure, explicitly stating the subject who obtains.

after getting

Less formal.

having obtained

Uses a perfect participle, emphasizing the completed action of obtaining.

following receipt of

More formal, emphasizing the act of receiving something, often documents or approvals.

on receipt of

More concise and formal, similar to 'following receipt of'.

subsequent to acquiring

A more formal and somewhat redundant alternative, emphasizing the sequence of events.

once in receipt of

Similar in meaning but slightly longer.

after procurement of

Focuses on the process of acquiring something, especially in a business or official context.

with the acquisition of

Shifts the focus to the acquisition itself, rather than the act of obtaining.

FAQs

What does "upon obtaining" mean?

The phrase "upon obtaining" means after you have acquired or received something. It indicates that something else will happen as a result of getting something.

What can I say instead of "upon obtaining"?

You can use alternatives like "after acquiring", "once you obtain", or "following receipt of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "after obtaining" or "upon obtaining"?

While both are grammatically correct, "upon obtaining" is generally considered more formal than "after obtaining". Choose the phrase that best suits the tone and audience of your writing.

How to use "upon obtaining" in a sentence?

You can use "upon obtaining" to indicate a subsequent action: "Upon obtaining the necessary permits, construction can begin."