upon which

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon which" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is especially common in formal writing, such as legal documents and official reports. Example: The board of directors must make a decision upon which the future of the company rests.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Soon the errors become the foundation upon which learning grows.

Huffington Post

Rep. 754, upon which defendant mainly relies.

Cornell University

Now to the offensive quartet, upon which so much hinges.

The Guardian - Sport

Upon which the man replied: "I am not scalper.

The New York Times

But the foundations upon which we work are disintegrating fast.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a principle upon which diversified, developed economies surely rest.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is no glimmer of hope upon which to cling.

The Guardian - Sport

It is the one substance upon which our existence depends.

The Guardian

Isn't that the credo upon which Wikipedia was founded?

The Guardian - Film

African djembe drums upon which the player sits replaced timpani.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The cases upon which appellants rely are distinguishable.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon which" in formal writing to denote a relationship of dependence or foundation. For example: "The theory upon which the research is based is well-established."

Common error

Avoid using "upon which" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "on which" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "upon which" is to introduce a relative clause, specifying the thing or idea that something else depends on or is based on. As demonstrated in Ludwig, this phrase connects ideas by establishing a relationship of dependence or consequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon which" is a formal prepositional phrase used to establish a relationship of dependence or foundation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in formal writing contexts like news articles, academic papers, and legal documents. While versatile, it's best reserved for formal settings; in casual conversation, alternatives like "on which" are preferable. Remember to use "upon which" to create a clear and emphatic connection, ensuring your writing maintains a level of precision and sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on which

Slightly less formal and more common in contemporary usage.

based on which

Emphasizes the foundation or basis for something.

on what

A more direct and simplified alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

in reliance on which

Stresses the act of depending or trusting something.

whereon

A more archaic and formal equivalent, less frequently used.

depending on which

Highlights conditionality and selection based on a factor.

by which

Indicates a method or means by which something is achieved.

whereby

Indicates the method or process by which something is done.

for which

Introduces the reason or purpose behind something.

consequent to which

Highlights the result or outcome following a particular action or event.

FAQs

How can I use "upon which" in a sentence?

Use "upon which" to indicate a dependency or foundation. For instance, "The decision "upon which" the company's future rests was difficult to make."

What are some alternatives to "upon which"?

Consider using alternatives such as "on which", "based on which", or "whereon", depending on the specific context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance.

Is "upon which" formal or informal?

"Upon which" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, "on which" is often preferred.

What is the difference between "on which" and "upon which"?

While both phrases serve a similar purpose, "upon which" is considered more formal and somewhat archaic compared to the more commonly used "on which".