upon their release

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon their release" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that happened or will happen immediately after someone or something is released from some kind of confinement. For example, "Upon their release from prison, the two men vowed to turn their lives around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All but one of the 26 charges against them were dropped upon their release in January.

The Guardian

Hour Children provides transitional housing for mothers and their children upon their release from prison.

The New York Times

Upon their release, especially during the winter, many struggle to stay clean.

The Guardian

Few films have been spoofed as immediately upon their release as Brokeback Mountain was.

The Guardian

It should be obvious that it is cost-effective to give inmates the tools to function upon their release.

The New York Times

Supporting better educational and job training programs inside prisons can help incarcerated people become more productive citizens upon their release.

The Washington Post

Circle of Health International has staffed a clinic caring for refugees and asylum seekers immediately upon their release.

Cornell University

As you point out, linking people coming out of the criminal justice system to services upon their release is another way to fight chronic homelessness.

The New York Times

Ms. Gulley said that the first thing the two wanted to do upon their release was to have their hair done.

The New York Times

It is not clear where the men will go upon their release since their families live in areas where sex offenders are not permitted.

The New York Times

"The Castle," a simple, fascinating production about four ex-convicts, presents the other side of the coin, describing the obstacles that criminal offenders face upon their release.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon their release" to clearly indicate the immediate aftermath of someone or something being freed from a restrictive environment, such as prison or captivity. This emphasizes the timing of subsequent events.

Common error

Don't omit "upon", thinking it's stylistic; it specifies the timing. Omitting it changes the meaning. "Their release" simply refers to the event itself, not necessarily what immediately follows. For example, don't say "Their release, they struggled" when you mean "Upon their release, they struggled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon their release" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, specifying the timing of an action or event. Ludwig confirms this phrase's common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon their release" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that clearly indicates the immediate aftermath of a release from confinement, according to Ludwig. It functions to specify the timing of events, and while suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it frequently appears in news and media. Remember to use "upon" to maintain the correct meaning of immediacy. Alternatives such as "following their liberation" can be considered for varied expression. Ludwig confirms its common usage across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following their liberation

Replaces "release" with a synonym suggesting freedom from captivity, potentially carrying a stronger connotation of being freed from oppression.

after their detention ends

Breaks down the phrase to clarify the termination of a detention period, which is more explicit.

subsequent to their discharge

Uses formal language to describe their departure or release, often used in professional or official contexts.

once they are freed

Simplifies the concept of release into a more basic expression of gaining freedom.

immediately post-incarceration

Emphasizes the immediacy of the event after imprisonment, using more technical language.

upon being set free

Highlights the act of being liberated or granted freedom.

directly after their confinement

Focuses on the period of confinement and the events that occur immediately after.

in the wake of their acquittal

Specific to situations where the release is due to a legal judgment of innocence.

on their egress

Uses a more archaic or formal term for exiting or leaving a place of confinement.

as soon as they were discharged

Focuses on the timing and official nature of the release.

FAQs

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

Use "upon their release" to indicate something happening immediately after someone or something is released from confinement. For instance, "Upon their release, the prisoners were given new clothes" signifies the clothing was provided right after they were freed.

What are some alternatives to saying "upon their release"?

You can use phrases like "following their liberation", "after their detention ends", or "subsequent to their discharge" depending on the context.

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

While "on their release" might be understood, "upon their release" is more precise in indicating that something happens immediately following the release. "On their release" is acceptable, but less specific about the timing.

What's the difference between "upon their release" and "after their release"?

"Upon their release" implies that something happens immediately and directly after the release. "After their release" is more general, meaning it happened at some point following the release, but not necessarily right away.