we hit upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we hit upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has discovered or come across an idea or solution unexpectedly. Example: "After hours of brainstorming, we hit upon a brilliant idea that could revolutionize our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

We hit upon an abuse theme by accident.

The Guardian

After many meetings, we hit upon the idea of writing it as a comic opera.

The New York Times

"We hit upon the idea of writing it as a comic opera.

The Guardian

Here we hit upon some of the murkier undercurrents to Lilla's argument.

The New York Times - Books

"When we hit upon it we weren't really thinking about alcohol," Mr. Sherman said.

The New York Times

We hit upon what they were going to do while trying to find a name for our site.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Using Clifton and Kent's colourable set of directions DCK we are unable to derive the constraint for the eight points, since these eight points do not lie in DCK; namely, as we move, in the colourable subset, from one mutually orthogonal triple of rays to the next, we never hit upon exactly the same ray again, but only on one approximating it arbitrarily closely.

SEP

Despite its flaws, integration is as successful an educational strategy as we've hit upon.

The New York Times

A hermit we know hit upon a fine idea when he moved into a new apartment.

The New Yorker

"Yeah!" she says with��wonder, as if we have hit upon yet another feminist advantage in the world.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Because the fact of the matter is, we had hit upon the perfect sentence — not for the first time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we hit upon" when you want to emphasize the element of chance or serendipity in discovering an idea or solution. It adds a touch of narrative flair to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we hit upon" excessively in formal academic or business contexts. While acceptable, alternatives like "we identified" or "we discovered" might be more appropriate for a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we hit upon" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of unexpectedly discovering or realizing something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness. It introduces an element of chance or serendipity to the discovery process, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we hit upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression that signifies the unexpected discovery or realization of an idea or solution. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While commonly found in News & Media sources, its usage spans across scientific and business contexts, albeit with a slightly more informal tone. When aiming for utmost formality, consider opting for alternatives like "we identified" or "we discovered". Remember to use "we hit upon" when you want to highlight the serendipitous aspect of the discovery process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we discovered

Direct synonym, emphasizing the act of finding something unexpectedly.

we chanced upon

Indicates a more accidental or random discovery.

we stumbled upon

Similar to 'chanced upon', suggesting an unexpected encounter.

we found

A more general term for locating or encountering something.

we arrived at

Implies a process or journey leading to a conclusion.

we realized

Highlights the moment of understanding or becoming aware.

we identified

Focuses on recognizing or pinpointing something specific.

we conceived

Focuses on the generation or creation of an idea.

we unearthed

Suggests uncovering something hidden or obscure.

we devised

Emphasizes the planning and invention involved in reaching a solution.

FAQs

How can I use "we hit upon" in a sentence?

You can use "we hit upon" to describe the moment of discovering an idea or solution unexpectedly. For example, "After several failed attempts, "we hit upon" a new strategy that proved successful."

What can I say instead of "we hit upon"?

You can use alternatives like "we discovered", "we found", or "we realized" depending on the context.

Is "we hit upon" formal or informal?

"We hit upon" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In very formal academic or business writing, using "we identified" or "we determined" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "we hit upon" and "we decided on"?

"We hit upon" implies an element of chance or unexpected discovery, while "we decided on" suggests a deliberate choice after considering various options. For example, "we hit upon" the idea during a brainstorming session, but "we decided on" the final design after several revisions.