whereupon

USAGE SUMMARY

"whereupon" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time immediately after something else has happened. Example Sentence: I asked him to leave, whereupon he grabbed his coat and left without saying another word.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When Watson then replaced Harris at the Prindiville Stand End, Prior caressed him away to the point boundary whereupon Stokes off drove Siddle to bring up the 50 partnership.

The Guardian - Sport

"Moody's believes that the downside risks warrant putting Spain's rating under review for downgrade," Muehlbronner pronounced with her hand on the lever – whereupon the euro and the stock market both fell.

The Guardian - Opinion

The record was achieved on a visit to Prague, when she arrived early at the president's palace, whereupon the guard of honour snapped to attention and the band struck up the national anthems.

The Guardian

Atop a pyramid scheme of whackdoodles, a pragmatic statesman will be returned to office, whereupon it will resume being Obama's fault for not compromising with him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rather than pushing her away, he brushed his diagnosis off: "I mentioned how sorry I had been to hear of his stay in hospital, whereupon he wrinkled his nose and said nothing," Jane wrote.

The Guardian - Film

The first of them came after 90 seconds, when, taking a free kick from the edge of the penalty box, his feint drew Johnston aside in the wall, whereupon Hidegkuti shot through the gap, to beat Gil Merrick, an erratic keeper that day.

The Guardian - Sport

Then Chris Woakes removed Smith caught at cover off a leading edge, whereupon Boyd Rankin, who bowled with venom and control throughout the day, dispatched Prince and Usman Khawaja.

The Guardian - Sport

"Moody's does not believe that Spain's solvency is under threat," she conceded, whereupon both euro and markets rallied a little.

The Guardian - Opinion

A hastily assembled United Nations force, which was led by America, managed to drive the North Koreans back almost to the border with China, whereupon the Chinese entered the war.

The Economist

Disgusted, the kings threw it down a well, whereupon it burst into flames; they somehow fished it out, took it home and worshipped it.The nature of the gifts, though, was less important than the fact that the kings represented the whole Gentile world coming to pay homage.

The Economist

The witness is then asked to repeat the task, whereupon a new batch of faces is generated, and so on.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whereupon" to clearly indicate an immediate consequence or a direct sequence of events. This strengthens the logical flow of your writing and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "whereupon" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal and stilted in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "then" or "after that".

Linguistic Context

"Whereupon" functions as a conjunctive adverb, linking two clauses where the second event immediately follows the first. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in establishing temporal sequence and consequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whereupon" is a conjunctive adverb used to indicate that one event immediately follows another. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically correct term, primarily used in formal contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While effective for clearly establishing a sequence of events, it should be used sparingly in informal settings. Alternatives like "subsequently" or "as a result" can be used for similar effect. By understanding its proper usage, writers can enhance the clarity and sophistication of their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thereupon

A more formal synonym, directly interchangeable in many contexts, but slightly less common.

subsequently

Emphasizes the temporal sequence, indicating that something happens after a previous event.

consequently

Similar to "as a result", emphasizing the logical consequence of an action.

in consequence

Similar to "as a result" but often used in more formal or legal contexts.

as a result

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship between two events.

at which point

Indicates a specific moment when the subsequent event occurs.

following that

Focuses on the chronological order, indicating the next event in a series.

immediately afterwards

Stresses the immediacy of the second event following the first.

after that

A simpler, more direct way to indicate the sequence of events.

on that occasion

Refers to a specific event that triggers the following action.

FAQs

How can I use "whereupon" in a sentence?

"Whereupon" connects two events, showing that one immediately follows the other. For example, "The alarm sounded, "whereupon" everyone evacuated the building."

What are some alternatives to "whereupon"?

Depending on the context, you can use "subsequently", "thereupon", or "as a result" as alternatives to "whereupon".

Is "whereupon" formal or informal?

"Whereupon" is generally considered a formal term and is more appropriate for academic, legal, or otherwise formal writing. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives are usually preferred.

What's the difference between "whereupon" and "thereupon"?

While both indicate a sequence of events, "whereupon" often implies a more direct and immediate consequence. "Thereupon" is a near synonym, but "whereupon" is generally slightly more common in modern usage.