upon the outbreak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon the outbreak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the moment something begins or occurs, often in reference to events like crises or conflicts. Example: "Upon the outbreak of the pandemic, many countries implemented strict travel restrictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Upon the outbreak of World War II, Hélion enlisted in the French army in 1940.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon the outbreak of revolutionary disturbances in 1905, Trotsky returned to Russia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, however, he sided with the Confederacy and organized his own company of troops.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nevertheless, upon the outbreak of the Revolution in 1789, Hérault joined the crowd that stormed the Bastille (July 14).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon the outbreak of World War I, political Zionism reasserted itself, and its leadership passed to Russian Jews living in England.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A graduate of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), Lee joined Washington's army immediately upon the outbreak of the American Revolution (1775 83).

Encyclopedia Britannica

This made possible de Valera's proclamation in September 1939, upon the outbreak of World War II, that Ireland would remain neutral and would resist attack from any quarter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon the outbreak of the Dutch War (or Third Anglo-Dutch War) in 1672, Nicolls volunteered to fight and was killed in the naval battle of Solebay.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon the outbreak of the French Revolution, he retired to a small estate at Blois and devoted himself to scientific research.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was inspector general of cavalry from 1910 to 1914, and upon the outbreak of World War I he took a cavalry division to France.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon the outbreak of the Roman Catholic rebellion in Ireland in 1641, Ormonde was appointed a lieutenant general in the English army.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon the outbreak" to clearly signal the start of a significant event, particularly when emphasizing the immediate consequences or actions taken in response. This phrase lends a formal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "upon the outbreak" in casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "when it started" or "as soon as it happened" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon the outbreak" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the point in time when an event begins. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and is used to mark the commencement of significant occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

Encyclopedias

26%

News & Media

9%

Less common in

Science

34%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon the outbreak" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the beginning of an event, often carrying a sense of immediacy. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for formal contexts such as encyclopedias and news reports, signaling a temporal relationship between the event's start and subsequent actions. While common, it should be used judiciously in informal settings, where simpler alternatives like "at the start" or "when it began" might be more appropriate. Its effectiveness lies in its clarity and formality, making it ideal for scenarios requiring a precise and somewhat elevated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the onset

Replaces "upon" with "at" and uses "onset" instead of "outbreak", indicating the beginning of something.

following the start

Uses "following" to indicate sequence and "start" as a synonym for "outbreak".

with the emergence

Employs "with" and "emergence" to denote the beginning or appearance of something.

at the commencement

Replaces "outbreak" with the more formal term "commencement", indicating a beginning.

when it erupted

Uses "erupted" to convey a sudden and forceful beginning.

as soon as it began

Expresses immediacy with "as soon as" and uses the simple verb "began".

at the inception

Replaces "outbreak" with "inception", emphasizing the initial stage or start.

in the wake of the eruption

Indicates something happening immediately after a sudden and violent beginning.

with the dawning

Uses "dawning" to metaphorically represent the beginning or emergence of something.

on the breaking out

Inverts the structure while maintaining the core meaning using gerund form.

FAQs

How can I use "upon the outbreak" in a sentence?

You can use "upon the outbreak" to indicate the start of an event. For example, "Upon the outbreak of the war, many citizens fled the city."

What are some alternatives to "upon the outbreak"?

You can use alternatives like "at the onset", "following the start", or "with the emergence" depending on the context.

Is "upon the outbreak" formal or informal?

The phrase "upon the outbreak" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "upon the outbreak" and "after the outbreak"?

"Upon the outbreak" indicates something happening immediately as the event starts, while "after the outbreak" refers to a period following the initial event.