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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
upon searching
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"upon searching" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It indicates the action of searching or investigating something further. Example: Upon searching through the old attic, they found a dusty box filled with family heirlooms.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(20)
upon looking
upon referring
on observing
upon understanding
as a result of searching
upon ascertaining
upon realising
when searching
upon seeing
on searching
after searching
as soon as one sees
upon investigating
observing that
upon assessing
upon being
upon consultation
after investigation
upon returning
when viewing
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
42 human-written examples
Upon searching the premises, though, the officers found her behind the trailer, and she told them she was hiding from Mr. Brewster and his mother.
News & Media
Upon searching, these people would have learned from Merriam-Webster's that the definition of "feminism" is "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes".
News & Media
Upon searching Mr. Hartshorn's home, the police discovered a cache of child pornography videos, some featuring children younger than 10, Mr. Brown said.
News & Media
Students, Lunsford found, know not to write "Alexander the Gr8" in their Greek-Civ class: upon searching through the academic work of first-year Stanford students, Lunsford couldn't find a single page with "texting speak".
News & Media
Upon searching his bag, the officers found a flare gun, but not the.22-caliber pistol, which they discovered moments later in the first child's backpack, along with the ammunition and loaded gun clip, Mr. Browne said.
News & Media
Upon searching, the tech discovered videos of unclothed teenage boys.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
18 human-written examples
Most people who come to Taverna Agia Fotini have stumbled upon it, searching for a path to the sea or exploring the villages that cling to steep slopes covered in olive trees, eucalyptus and a parched lushness of golden grasses.
News & Media
Discovery ratio depends upon the searching power of each device that lies in the cellular network area as expressed in (6).
Ms. Finkston, upon entering, began searching for a man she had never fully seen.
News & Media
I suck in vain upon the yoghurt, searching for a kick of flavour that never comes.
News & Media
This low-flame matter of international intrigue began in 2000, when the French couple came upon Colebrook while searching New England for a place to open a bakery.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "upon searching" to introduce an action that immediately follows the search, creating a clear sequence of events. It's particularly effective in formal writing where precision is valued.
Common error
Avoid overusing "upon searching" in informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation or less formal writing styles. Consider alternatives like "after searching" or "when searching" for a more natural tone.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
Prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier. It introduces a circumstance or condition that leads to a subsequent action or discovery. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically correct and usable. For example, 'Upon searching the house, they found...' illustrates its role in setting the stage for the main clause.
Frequent in
News & Media
44%
Science
40%
Wiki
8%
Less common in
Formal & Business
4%
Encyclopedias
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "upon searching" is a prepositional phrase that indicates an action taken immediately after a search, often leading to a discovery or specific outcome. Ludwig AI validates it as grammatically correct and appropriate for use, although its formality is better suited for news, scientific, or formal contexts. While alternatives like "after searching" exist, they lack the sense of immediacy that "upon searching" conveys. Understanding these subtle differences can enhance your writing, making it more precise and impactful.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
after searching
Replaces "upon" with "after", altering the temporal aspect slightly but maintaining the core meaning of searching.
on searching
Substitutes "upon" with "on", providing a more concise prepositional phrase with similar implications.
when searching
Uses "when" to introduce a temporal clause, emphasizing the time of the search action.
while searching
Similar to "when searching", "while" indicates the search action happening concurrently with another event.
in searching
Employs "in" as a preposition to highlight the involvement in the act of searching.
after investigation
Replaces "searching" with "investigation", shifting the focus to a more formal inquiry.
following a search
Uses a noun phrase "a search" instead of the verb "searching", changing the sentence structure.
once a search was conducted
Introduces a passive voice construction to describe the search process.
having searched
Uses a perfect participle to indicate the completion of the search before a subsequent action.
as a result of searching
Highlights the consequence of searching, emphasizing the outcome of the action.
FAQs
How can I use "upon searching" in a sentence?
Use "upon searching" to indicate something that was discovered or happened immediately after a search. For example, "Upon searching the premises, the police found the missing evidence."
What can I say instead of "upon searching"?
You can use alternatives like "after searching", "when searching", or "following a search" depending on the context.
Is "upon searching" considered formal language?
Yes, "upon searching" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "after searching". It is commonly used in legal, scientific, and other types of formal writing.
What's the difference between "upon searching" and "after searching"?
While both phrases indicate a sequence of events, "upon searching" often implies a more immediate consequence or discovery following the search, while "after searching" suggests a slightly longer or less direct connection.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested