were upon

USAGE SUMMARY

This is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "were upon" to refer to a specific time in the past, for example "She realized too late that the consequences of her decisions were upon her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And then they were upon us.

The Guardian - Music

They knew the eyes of the world were upon them.

The Economist

Then suddenly, they were upon us: hundreds and hundreds of hammerhead sharks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It isn't fair, it isn't right," Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her.

The New Yorker

Both of us were upon her, coaxing her hands way from her face, uncurling her to reveal wet cheeks.

The New Yorker

And at the last moment, before the wheels were upon her, she calmly looked up and disappeared.

The New York Times

Within seconds, government soldiers were upon us, pointing their guns and yelling in Arabic, their voices shot through with adrenaline.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now I knew that they originated in distant storms, which moved, as it were, upon the face of the deep.

The New Yorker

The eyes of the world were upon him, and nobody had asked him about the Russia investigation.

The New Yorker

But by then September 11th and soon Iraq were upon him.

The Economist

All eyes were upon mother, who seemed for a while somewhat bewildered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were upon" to create a sense of immediacy or impact, particularly when describing sudden or significant events. For instance, "The consequences of their actions were upon them sooner than they expected."

Common error

Avoid using "were upon" to describe events that will happen in the future. This phrase refers to situations already happening or that happened in the past. Instead, use "will be upon" to express future events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were upon" functions as a stative verb construction, indicating that a particular state, event, or time has arrived or is currently happening. Ludwig examples show its use in describing the arrival of events or situations, creating a sense of immediacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were upon" is a versatile expression used to denote the arrival or imminence of an event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and encyclopedia contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using "were upon", it's important to maintain tense consistency and consider the tone to match the context. Alternatives such as "had arrived" or "were imminent" may be more suitable depending on the desired emphasis. The phrase offers a way to inject immediacy into writing, making it particularly useful in narrative and descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were imminent

Highlights the nearness and certainty of something occurring.

impended

Emphasizes the imminence or approach of something.

had arrived

Emphasizes the arrival or commencement of a situation or event.

had befallen

Focuses on something negative or impactful that has occurred.

descended on

Highlights a sudden and often overwhelming arrival or occurrence.

were facing

Indicates that someone is in the process of confronting something.

were confronting

Suggests a direct and often challenging encounter with something.

overtook

Implies that something has surpassed or overwhelmed a situation.

had overwhelmed

Stresses the feeling of being overcome or overpowered by something.

loomed over

Suggests a threatening or imposing presence.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were upon" indicates that something has arrived or is happening. For example, "The holidays "were upon" us before we knew it."

What does "were upon" mean?

The phrase "were upon" means that a particular time, event, or situation has arrived or is happening to someone. It creates a sense of immediacy or impact. For instance, if you say "The deadline "were upon" them", it means they were facing the deadline.

What are some alternatives to "were upon"?

Alternatives include phrases like "had befallen", "had arrived", or "were imminent" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "were upon" in a formal context?

Yes, "were upon" can be used in formal contexts, especially when describing significant events or situations. However, ensure the tone is appropriate for the specific audience and purpose. Alternatives like "were facing" might be more suitable in certain business environments.