were upon her

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were upon her" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase usually implies that something pressing, difficult, or implicating is being placed upon the subject by another person or entity. For example: "The scrutiny of the court's judgment were upon her as she entered the courtroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"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

"It isn't fair, it isn't right, it's the least fair, it's like the reverse of Snow White, it's the unfairest of them all," Lorelai screamed, and then they were upon her.

The New Yorker

I did encounter one woman who was in complete denial that changes were upon her.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

All eyes are upon her and at her service — finally.

The New Yorker

But they said unto themselves, When the government was upon her shoulders, this woman was mighty.

The New Yorker

As my mother, peace be upon her, used to say: If a dog licked my blood, it would poison itself….

The New Yorker

They come to the edge of an orchard and Mary asks Joseph to pick her some cherries, for a great hunger is upon her.

The New Yorker

All eyes are upon her as she attends a house party with a group of her friends, the popular clique of their school.

The Guardian

Recalling "The Lottery" in our conversation, Miriam Friend was no less disturbed by it than she had been upon her first reading, nor had she changed her mind about it in the last sixty-five years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were upon her" to create a sense of dramatic or impactful imposition. Consider the tone and context to ensure it fits the overall message.

Common error

Avoid using "were upon her" when the subject is actively seeking or causing the event. This phrasing implies a lack of agency on the part of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were upon her" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that something is being imposed or experienced by the subject. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct, often implying a lack of agency. Examples show it used to describe impacts, burdens, or significant events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were upon her" is a grammatically sound way to express that someone is experiencing something impactful or overwhelming, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts to describe external forces affecting an individual. While not highly frequent, it serves to create a sense of dramatic imposition. Consider using alternatives like "descended upon her" or "befell her" to add nuance to your writing. Remember that it is most effective when describing something happening to someone, rather than an action they are actively pursuing. The phrase "were upon her" provides a specific color to the writing in all the contexts it may show up.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was placed upon her

Emphasizes the act of putting something (e.g., a burden) on her.

descended upon her

Emphasizes a sudden and overwhelming impact.

fell upon her

Similar to "befell her", implying something happened by chance or fate.

befell her

Suggests something happened to her, often negative or unfortunate.

weighed down on her

Implies a heavy burden or stress.

impacted her

Focuses on the effect something had on her.

bore down on her

Similar to "weighed down on her", suggesting pressure or oppression.

was inflicted on her

Highlights that something negative was imposed upon her.

engulfed her

Suggests being completely overwhelmed or consumed.

overtook her

Implies being surpassed or overcome by something.

FAQs

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

Use "were upon her" to indicate that something significant or impactful is happening to someone, often implying a lack of control or agency on their part. For instance, "The weight of the decision "was upon her"".

What does "were upon her" mean?

The phrase "were upon her" suggests that someone is experiencing something pressing, overwhelming, or influential. It often conveys a sense of burden or inescapable impact.

What are some alternatives to "were upon her"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "descended upon her", "befell her", or "was placed upon her" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to use "was upon her" instead of "were upon her"?

The use of "was" or "were" depends on the subject. If the subject is singular, "was upon her" would be grammatically correct. However, in most cases, "were upon her" is used when referring to abstract concepts or plural entities exerting influence.