upon their arrival

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon their arrival" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when a group of people came to a place. For example: "We waited eagerly for the guests upon their arrival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two government soldiers were wounded and died upon their arrival at the border town of Spinbaldak.

The New York Times

Upon their arrival on American soil, such migrants surrender to Border Patrol agents.

The Guardian

Upon their arrival, Ms. Edwards and Mr. Berlin were immediately taken into custody by federal officials.

The New York Times

The guard led me to a section where detainees were huddled upon their arrival.

The Guardian

Other Bedouins, upon their arrival, came swarming out of these holes like chipmunks.

The New Yorker

His contract is likely to be ready upon their arrival in Italy.

The Guardian - Sport

He wanted one single rose in the room upon their arrival.

The New York Times

The family's last surviving animal — a donkey — died upon their arrival.

The New Yorker

Upon their arrival in Amman, however, the four were immediately handed over to Japanese diplomats.

The New York Times

Zimmerman asks that the police call him upon their arrival so he can provide his location.

The New Yorker

But the ultimate luxury for the wedding guests came upon their arrival.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon their arrival" to add a formal tone to your writing, especially when describing events in a professional or academic context.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "upon their arrival" can sometimes sound overly formal. Consider whether simpler alternatives like "when they arrived" or "as they got there" might be more appropriate for your intended audience and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon their arrival" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the time at which an action occurs. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase often introduces what happened immediately or shortly after someone's arrival.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon their arrival" is a grammatically sound phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier, frequently used to indicate the timing of events subsequent to someone's arrival. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and correct. While suitable for formal contexts, it can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "when they arrived" in more casual settings. Predominantly found in news media, science, and wiki sources, this phrase adds a touch of formality and precision to your writing, while offering clarity on what happens immediately after arrival. Make sure to choose the right words for the right audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when they arrived

Uses "when" to indicate the time of arrival, slightly less formal than "upon".

as they arrived

Replaces "upon" with "as", focusing on the action of arriving rather than the moment.

at the point of their arrival

More emphatic and formal, highlighting the specific moment.

on reaching their destination

More descriptive, specifying the "destination" explicitly.

after reaching their destination

Similar to "on reaching their destination" but uses "after".

following their entrance

Replaces "arrival" with "entrance", emphasizing the act of entering.

once they got there

Informal and general, replacing the formal "arrival" with a simpler expression.

as soon as they were there

Emphasizes the quick transition to being present at the location.

immediately after getting there

Focuses on the immediacy following arrival.

subsequent to their reaching

Formal and somewhat archaic, indicating what happens after reaching a place.

FAQs

How can I use "upon their arrival" in a sentence?

You can use "upon their arrival" to describe what happens immediately after a group of people gets to a location. For example, "Upon their arrival, they were greeted by the mayor."

What are some alternatives to "upon their arrival"?

Some alternatives include "when they arrived", "as they arrived", or "on reaching their destination", depending on the context and desired formality.

Is "upon their arrival" formal or informal?

"Upon their arrival" tends to be more formal. For less formal situations, consider using phrases like "when they got there" or "as soon as they arrived".

Is it correct to say "on their arrival" instead of "upon their arrival"?

Both "on their arrival" and "upon their arrival" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. However, "upon their arrival" often conveys a slightly more formal tone.