upright

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'upright' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective meaning 'vertically erect', and you can use it to describe things such as people, monuments, and furniture. For example: "The monument was standing upright in the center of the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Juventus had several chances to seal the win, with an effort by Tevez being deflected just past the left upright before a great stop from Weidenfeller denied the Argentinian at point-blank range.

The Guardian - Sport

He shoots wildly across the face of goal and his effort swerves wide of the right upright.

The Guardian - Sport

Cut the top and base off the grapefruit, stand it upright on a board and cut away the peel and pith.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ten terror suspects alleged to the ICRC that these included beingtold to stand upright and shackled to the ceiling for up to three days, and in some cases at intervals for over three months.

The Guardian

A shot from Mostefa about 30 yards takes a wicked deflection off Jerome Boateng and, with Neuer going the wrong way, fizzes a couple of feet wide of the upright.

The Guardian - Sport

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.35pm BST21:35 34 min: Thomas Muller gets in front of Essaid Belkalem to flash a Shkodran Mustafi cross from the right wide of the left upright.

The Guardian - Sport

There may have been a tug from the Welshman but Di María's insistence on throwing himself to the floor, rather than staying upright, summarised the sense of laziness from him in recent weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

More so, perhaps, because the spotted orchids, standing rigidly upright among swaying fescues, crested dog's tail and Yorkshire fog grasses, were too numerous to count.

The Guardian

Evans completely miscued a penalty attempt from the 10-metre line but he was unlucky when a conversion attempt from close to the touchline struck an upright.

The Guardian - Sport

By the end of the lesson we had both made it upright several times – very briefly, admittedly, and always preceding an epic wipeout – and felt quite proud of ourselves.

The Guardian - Travel

Valencia had two big chances before half-time but Barragan's curling effort was deflected off Pepe's back for a corner before another deflection left Iker Casillas standing as Andre Gomes's shot came back off the upright but the goalkeeper sprang into action to deny Paco Alcacer on the rebound.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upright" to describe a person's character, ensure the context clearly implies moral integrity and ethical behavior, not just physical posture.

Common error

Avoid using "upright" to describe something as merely 'not lying down' if a more precise term like "vertical" or "standing" would be more appropriate. "Upright" often carries a connotation of deliberate effort or moral stance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "upright" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a vertical position or moral character. Ludwig shows many examples of both uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "upright" is a versatile adjective that can describe both physical orientation and moral character. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and widely used. As shown by Ludwig, the term appears frequently in contexts such as news and media, business, and scientific sources, denoting a balance between a formal and neutral register. When writing, it's important to discern whether you're referring to physical straightness or moral integrity to ensure clarity. Remember alternatives like "honest" or "vertical" can provide more precise meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vertical

Focuses specifically on the geometric orientation, lacking the connotations of morality or character.

upstanding

Conveys strong moral character and adherence to ethical principles, similar to 'honest'.

erect

Similar to vertical, but can also imply rigidity or stiffness, depending on the context.

perpendicular

Strictly refers to a geometric relationship, lacking any moral or behavioral connotations.

honest

Emphasizes moral integrity and truthfulness, diverging from the physical meaning.

honorable

Highlights a sense of dignity and ethical conduct, shifting the meaning from physical posture.

principled

Highlights adherence to a set of moral principles, moving away from the literal sense.

just

Implies fairness and impartiality, emphasizing ethical qualities.

straightforward

Suggests honesty and frankness, without necessarily implying verticality.

decent

Implies respectability and moral soundness, often used in a more general sense.

FAQs

How can I use "upright" in a sentence?

You can use "upright" to describe something vertical, like "The flagpole stood "vertical" and "upright"". It can also describe a person's moral character, as in, "She was known as an "upright" and "honest" citizen".

What can I say instead of "upright" when describing a person's character?

Alternatives to "upright" in the context of moral character include "honest", "upstanding", "principled", or "honorable".

Which is correct, "upright position" or "vertical position"?

Both "upright position" and "vertical position" are correct, but "vertical position" is more neutral and purely descriptive. "Upright position" can imply a deliberate or maintained posture.

What's the difference between "upright" and "vertical"?

"Vertical" refers strictly to a direction or orientation that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. "Upright" can also refer to a vertical orientation but often carries connotations of stability, integrity, or moral standing.