upon question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon question" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in formal contexts to indicate that something is being addressed or considered when a question is posed. Example: "Upon question, the committee decided to review the proposal further."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We went to one allergist after another, armed with question upon question.

The New York Times

Here are some examples: SPIRIT WORLD -- "My name is Harley Earl, and I've come back to build you a great car," the actor says, but like a surrealist film the Buick ad campaign piles question upon question.

The New York Times

Amongst other factors the questionnaire value is dependent upon question validity and lack of ambivalence, and on the care used and bias of respondents.

Insights into Imaging

One of NSF's key information products, the biennial Science and Engineering Indicators, draws upon Question No. 12 to help paint an exhaustive picture of global trends in science and engineering.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Pelosi's future has been the most speculated-upon question facing House Democrats since the election.

Huffington Post

B) That she still couldn't answer the previously agreed-upon questions without a little extra help.

Huffington Post

But there are variables upon variables, questions upon questions.

The New York Times

QUESTIONS upon questions upon questions: they're a restaurant critic's real diet, fed to him by friends and strangers, in phone calls and e-mail messages, at cocktail parties and the gym.

The New York Times - Food

True, the theatre is not heated but that should not be an insuperable problem, particularly not with fans no doubt just as ready to shiver for "the master" at Easter as to boil for him in summer.Questions upon questions.

The Economist

It is fairly clear, however, that the Sophists did concentrate very largely upon human beings and human society, upon questions of words in their relations to things, upon issues in the theory of knowledge, and upon the importance of the observer and the subjective element in reality and in the correct understanding of reality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It draws upon questions concerning travel time use designed by its first two authors that have been included in the National Rail Passenger Survey waves conducted in Autumn 2004, 2010 and 2014, yielding over 80,000 survey responses in total.

Journal of Transport Geography

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upon question", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a specific question that is being addressed or considered.

Common error

Avoid using "upon question" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "regarding the question" or "concerning the question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon question" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the condition or circumstance under which an action is taken or a decision is made. It serves to highlight that something occurs in direct response to or in consideration of a specific question, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

45%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "upon question" is a grammatically acceptable but infrequent expression used to indicate something is being addressed in direct response to a question. While Ludwig AI considers it acceptable, it leans toward formal contexts, as it appears mainly in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. Given its somewhat archaic tone, consider alternatives like "regarding the question" or "concerning the question" in less formal settings. While correct, its usage should be deliberate to achieve the desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the question

Replaces 'upon' with 'regarding', focusing on the subject matter of the question.

concerning the question

Uses 'concerning' instead of 'upon', indicating the question is the topic of discussion.

in response to the question

Emphasizes the act of answering or reacting to a question.

with respect to the question

Highlights considering a question from a particular viewpoint.

in relation to the question

Indicates a connection or association with the question at hand.

pertaining to the question

Formally suggests relevance or direct connection to the question.

on the subject of the question

Shifts the focus to the subject matter that the question addresses.

in the matter of the question

Presents the question as a specific issue or case under consideration.

relative to the question

Shows how something is dependent or connected to the question.

considering the question

Focuses on the act of thinking about and evaluating the question.

FAQs

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

Use "upon question" to indicate that something is being addressed or considered when a question is posed. For example, "Upon question, the committee decided to review the proposal further".

What can I say instead of "upon question"?

You can use alternatives like "regarding the question", "concerning the question", or "in response to the question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "upon question" or "on the question"?

"Upon question" is grammatically acceptable but less common. "On the question" may be more appropriate in modern usage, depending on the specific context. Consider "regarding the question" or "concerning the question" as more common alternatives.

What's the difference between "upon question" and "under consideration"?

"Upon question" specifically refers to addressing a posed question. "Under consideration" is more general, indicating that something is being thought about or evaluated, regardless of whether a specific question prompted it.