upon petition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon petition" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something is being done as a result of a request or application. Example: "The court may grant relief upon petition from the affected parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He may be removed by the court upon petition by a creditor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Modern bankruptcy laws provide for the initiation of liquidation proceedings upon petition by either the bankrupt himself or his creditors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An amendment can also be proposed at a convention called by Congress upon petition by two-thirds of the states.

The New York Times

Besides being passed by both houses of Congress, an amendment can also be proposed at a convention called by Congress upon petition by two-thirds of the states.

The New York Times

In some countries the initiation of liquidation may also be decreed by the court ex officio or upon petition by public officials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In England a deceased may dispose of his entire estate by will to the detriment of his spouse and children, subject however to contravention by a court upon petition of the spouse or children if they are not adequately provided for.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

There is no greater mortification than to sit with half a dozen Witts, deliberating upon a Petition, Address, or Memorial.

The New Yorker

Thus, a German law of 1916 provided for avoidance of bankruptcy and executions by a procedure placing the debtor, upon his petition, under judicially supervised management.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jesus College was founded in 1571 by Elizabeth I upon the petition of a Welsh clergyman, Hugh Price, who was treasurer of St David's Cathedral.

Wikipedia

The foundation charter of the college, issued by Elizabeth I on 27 June 1571 upon the petition of Hugh Price (treasurer of St David's Cathedral), gave to the college a site located between the present-day Market Street (to the south) and Ship Street (to the north); this remains part of the college's site.

Wikipedia

The same is not said of the abolitionists of the transatlantic slave trade, who pioneered many of the campaigning techniques we rely upon today: petitions, boycotts and tactics we might now call marketing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal and formal documents, use "upon petition" to clearly indicate that an action is contingent on receiving a formal request. This adds a layer of procedural correctness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "upon petition" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal and stilted; instead, opt for simpler alternatives such as "at the request of" or "following a request".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon petition" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the condition or trigger for an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon petition" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase best suited for formal and legal contexts. As Ludwig AI shows, it signifies that an action is contingent on the submission of a formal petition. While alternatives like "at the request of" or "following a request" exist for more informal settings, using "upon petition" correctly adds precision and formality to your writing in appropriate scenarios. Understanding its specific connotation and register is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursuant to a petition

This is a more formal and legalistic way to express the same idea.

on application

This alternative is slightly less formal than the original phrase.

at the request of

This option emphasizes the person or entity making the request.

as a result of a petition

This emphasizes the causal relationship between the petition and the action.

following a request

This phrase highlights the sequence of events, focusing on the request preceding the action.

by formal request

This version explicitly specifies that the request is official or structured.

in response to a request

Highlights that the petition is being answered or acknowledged.

with the submission of a request

This alternative focuses on the act of submitting a formal application.

after application

A more concise way of saying something happens after a request.

based on a plea

This alternative suggests a more urgent or emotional request.

FAQs

How is "upon petition" typically used in legal writing?

In legal writing, "upon petition" indicates that a court or other authority will take a specific action only if a formal request (petition) is submitted. It ensures that actions are initiated by the concerned party, not arbitrarily.

What are some alternatives to "upon petition" in less formal contexts?

In less formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "at the request of", "following a request", or "after application". These options are more approachable and suitable for general audiences.

Is there a difference between "upon petition" and "upon request"?

"Upon petition" generally implies a more formal, written request, often within a legal or official context. "Upon request", on the other hand, can refer to any type of request, formal or informal.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "pursuant to a petition" instead of "upon petition"?

The phrase "pursuant to a petition" is another formal phrase and can be used interchangeably with "upon petition" in contexts where you want to emphasize compliance with legal or procedural requirements.