upon seeing this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “upon seeing this” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce temporal clauses in order to describe how one reacted or responded to something. For example, “Upon seeing this, I knew I had to do something to help.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

I remember his reaction upon seeing this picture.

The Guardian - Film

Several years later, upon seeing this woman again, he inquired as to whether her son "still read Pushkin".

The New York Times

Upon seeing this new sea of plastic, she must have had her head in her hands long before Scott Carson.

The Guardian

It was only upon seeing this document after her release that the applicant first understood that she had been sterilized.

Columbia University

And, sure enough, there was a picture of Peter Andre, standing on a bike like a. Upon seeing this, my attitude changed completely.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Echo has a blank look on her face upon seeing this, but you get the impression that perhaps a germ of awareness remains in her.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

–upon seeing Alice in Dream Master.

Vice

Upon seeing the man in this photograph, Hughes said, "That's him".

The New Yorker

"Everyone understands upon seeing the law that this is a problem," Andrew Beck of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project told VICE.

Vice

Actor Markinson, upon seeing the costume, said "this is what's driving me crazy?" Director Kim Manners was highly critical of the monster and later told people that after the episode would air, his career would be "over".

Wikipedia

One passerby, upon seeing the demonstrators, exclaimed, "Is this more Occupy Wall Street?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upon seeing this", ensure the subsequent clause clearly describes the reaction or consequence. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the subject of the action immediately after "upon seeing this". Incorrect: "Upon seeing this, the decision was made to evacuate." Correct: "Upon seeing this, they made the decision to evacuate."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon seeing this" functions as an adverbial clause, providing a temporal context for the main clause. It introduces a condition or circumstance that triggers the action described in the main clause. Ludwig examples illustrate various reactions and consequences following this visual stimulus.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "upon seeing this" is a grammatically sound and frequently used temporal clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly introduces the action of reacting or responding to something. It has a relatively neutral tone and is versatile enough for formal writing and is often found in contexts such as News & Media, Wiki, and Science. To enhance clarity, ensure the subject of the action directly follows "upon seeing this" to prevent ambiguity. While effective, consider the formality of your writing and potentially use alternatives like "after seeing this" or "when I saw this" for less formal settings. You may also find more ideas using Ludwig's alternative suggestions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after observing this

More descriptive, less formal than "upon seeing this".

on observing this

More formal and emphasizes the act of observation.

having witnessed this

Emphasizes the act of witnessing, more dramatic.

after viewing this

Focuses on the visual aspect, more neutral.

once this was seen

Passive voice, changes the emphasis of the sentence.

when this was observed

Focuses on a specific moment in time, and emphasizes observation.

following the observation of this

Very formal and emphasizes the process of observing.

as soon as this was visible

Emphasizes the immediacy of the reaction.

with this in sight

Changes the sentence structure, less common.

subsequent to viewing this

Very formal and emphasizes the chronological order.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "upon seeing this" to sound less formal?

You can use phrases like "after seeing this", "when I saw this", or "once I saw this" to achieve a more casual tone.

Is there a difference between "upon seeing this" and "after seeing this"?

While similar, "upon seeing this" implies a more immediate reaction compared to "after seeing this", which suggests a slightly longer period between the visual event and the subsequent action.

Can "upon seeing this" be used in all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "upon seeing this" leans towards formal writing. It may sound out of place in very informal or conversational contexts. Consider alternatives like "when I saw this" for casual settings.

What part of speech is "upon seeing this"?

"Upon seeing this" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the main clause by indicating the time or condition under which the action in the main clause occurs.