upon realizing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon realizing that" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause or phrase that describes an action taken after becoming aware of something. For example: "Upon realizing that I had lost my keys, I panicked and searched for them everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Confusion upon realizing that Toby Jones was not, in fact, in this film.

The New Yorker

"They love each other," she says upon realizing that Hippolytus only has eyes for another in the youthful Aricia (Ruth Negga, in feisty form).

The New York Times - Arts

Upon realizing that Cramblett might have been given the wrong sperm, a receptionist at the bank asked if she "had requested an African American donor".

The New Yorker

Not having read the novel, Reeve showed initial interest in the role, but ultimately declined upon realizing that Verger was a quadriplegic, facially-disfigured child rapist.

Wikipedia

He now has no Facebook friends, and Randy, upon realizing that Stan is no longer his friend, asks Stan why he deleted him.

Wikipedia

Upon realizing that scotch broth is actually a hearty Scottish soup with barley Warhol's painting does say "a hearty soup"—I'll admit I was a touch disappointed.

Vice

He then describes the true significance behind this number, and his relief upon realizing that statistical averages are just useful abstractions, and do not encompass the full range of variation.

Wikipedia

If you don't give your seating requests in advance (which, you shouldn't) then do not give them at the wedding upon realizing that *gasp* you're sitting next to someone that you just simply do not care for.

Huffington Post

Upon realizing that Homer has come into some money by betting against her in the tournament, Lisa gets angry at him and refuses to acknowledge herself as Homer's daughter, even going so far as to take Marge's maiden name and start calling herself "Lisa Bouvier".

Wikipedia

Upon realizing that it was a funeral, several of the protesters burst into tears.

The New Yorker

Subsequent embarrassment upon realizing that falling objects were acorns, not small rocks thrown by local bullies.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "upon realizing that" with a specific action or decision that was made as a result of the understanding to enhance clarity.

Common error

Ensure you are using the correct spelling based on your audience. "Realize" is the standard spelling in American English, while "realise" is used in British English. Maintain consistency throughout your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon realizing that" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing an adverbial clause of time, indicating when an action occurred. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It sets the stage for describing actions or decisions made after a moment of understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “upon realizing that” is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to introduce an adverbial clause of time, emphasizing the direct consequence of a realization. This phrase is most commonly found in news and media, Wiki, and scientific contexts, with a slightly formal tone. When writing, remember to follow this phrase with a specific action or decision and to check your spelling based on your target audience, considering the difference between "realize" (American English) and "realise" (British English).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after coming to the realization that

Adds emphasis on the process of realization.

becoming aware that

More direct and simple, focusing on the act of becoming conscious.

with the awareness that

Highlights a state of being conscious or informed.

as soon as it became clear that

Highlights the clarity and timing of the realization.

once I grasped that

Highlights the act of understanding something firmly.

after it dawned on me that

Emphasizes a gradual realization, rather than an immediate one.

having come to the conclusion that

Implies a more deliberate and reasoned thought process.

in the full knowledge that

Emphasizes that one is fully aware of the implications.

on the understanding that

Shifts the focus to an agreement or condition that is understood.

on the understanding that

Focuses on a condition or agreement based on the realization.

FAQs

How can I use "upon realizing that" in a sentence?

Use "upon realizing that" to introduce a clause explaining what someone did after understanding something. For example, "Upon realizing that he was late, he rushed out the door."

What are some alternatives to "upon realizing that"?

You can use alternatives like "becoming aware that", "after coming to the realization that", or "with the awareness that" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "upon realizing that" or "after realizing that"?

"Upon realizing that" tends to be slightly more formal than "after realizing that". Both are correct, but "upon" adds a touch of formality.

What's the difference between "upon realizing that" and "upon learning that"?

"Upon realizing that" implies an understanding or comprehension of something, while "upon learning that" simply means becoming aware of information. The former suggests a deeper level of understanding.