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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
upon someone's asking
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
someone was asking.
News & Media
Dating won't start unless someone asks someone out.
Wiki
"What's cooking?" someone asked.
News & Media
Once upon a time, if someone asked how your company was organized, you'd give them an "org chart" — a page with lots of boxes on it.
News & Media
"Where's Syed?" someone asked.
News & Media
I was trying to impress upon people how asking someone, "When are you going to have kids?" can hurt someone.
News & Media
"Expecting someone?" Douglas asked.
News & Media
"Someone?" Jonsdottir asked.
News & Media
Someone should ask him.
News & Media
"Is someone here?" asked Mom.
News & Media
"Spare change?" someone might ask.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "upon someone's asking", ensure the context clearly indicates that an action or decision directly follows the request. This makes the connection between the inquiry and the subsequent event explicit.
Common error
Avoid using "upon someone's asking" when there is a delay or intervening action between the request and the response. The phrase implies immediacy and direct causation.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
3.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "upon someone's asking" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the condition or trigger for an action or event. It highlights the direct cause-and-effect relationship between the request and the subsequent action.
Frequent in
News & Media
34%
Wiki
33%
Academia
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Science
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "upon someone's asking" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a direct response to a request. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically acceptable. Although its usage is rare, it is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. It is mostly found in news, wiki and academic contents. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects the immediate and direct consequence of the request.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
when someone inquires
Replaces 'asking' with a more formal synonym, 'inquires', emphasizing the act of seeking information.
if someone requests
Substitutes 'asking' with 'requests', which implies a more direct and explicit solicitation.
should someone inquire
Uses 'should' to introduce a hypothetical scenario, making the phrase more conditional and formal.
at someone's request
Shifts the focus to the request itself, rather than the act of asking, making it more concise.
when prompted by someone
Highlights the element of being prompted or instigated by another person's question or need.
following someone's question
Emphasizes the sequence of events, where the question comes before the action or response.
if asked by someone
Puts the phrase in a passive voice, shifting focus to the one being asked.
when questioned by someone
Uses 'questioned' to suggest a more formal or investigative context of asking.
in response to someone's query
Introduces a more sophisticated term 'query', implying a detailed or official request.
on being asked by someone
Highlights the act of being in the process of being asked, adding a nuance of immediacy.
FAQs
How can I rephrase "upon someone's asking" to sound more formal?
You can use phrases like "at someone's request", "in response to someone's inquiry", or "if someone requests" to convey a more formal tone.
What's a more casual alternative to "upon someone's asking"?
Consider using phrases like "if someone asks", or "when someone asks" for a less formal context.
Is "upon someone's asking" always grammatically correct?
While generally acceptable, ensure the context implies a direct and immediate action following the request. Otherwise, consider alternative phrases that better reflect the actual sequence of events.
How does "upon someone's asking" differ from "because someone asked"?
"Upon someone's asking" implies a more formal or immediate response to a request, while "because someone asked" simply states the reason for an action without necessarily highlighting the immediacy or formality.
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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
81%
Authority and reliability
3.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested