wonder upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wonder upon" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It is likely a confusion with the phrase "wonder about" or "ponder upon," which are more standard expressions. Example: "I often wonder about the mysteries of the universe."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

O wonder-struck am I to see wonder upon wonder.

The New York Times - Arts

One might wonder, upon hearing this saying, what it means for a city to spoil, to go bad, as would a fruit capable of decomposition.

The Guardian

Now, crowds are gathering on the beaches of Lincolnshire and Norfolk to look in wonder upon – and take selfies with – the bodies of five giant sperm whales that washed ashore in a rare mass stranding at the weekend.

Independent

I wonder, upon hearing that reply, what thoughts went through the minds of many of those who either had been helpless subjects of "professional" prosecutors before his grand juries or were investigated by his many "professional" interrogators.

The New York Times

And running through everything, like the harmonium's beginningless-endless voice, are the words of the holy book: Wonderful is sound Wonderful is wisdom Wonderful is life Wonderful its distinctions Wonderful is praise Wonderful is eulogy Wonderful the Presence One sees in the present O wonder-struck am I to see wonder upon wonder.

The New York Times - Arts

I still recall my surprise and wonder upon learning that the largest organism on Earth is not the blue whale, as I had presumed, but actually is a colony of fungi residing underground in the Malheur National Forest, located in eastern Oregon state.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Selma was born out of my sense of awe, wonder and curiosity upon moving to Chicago more than a decade ago.

HuffPost

His passion for the ancient world brings it alive for him, and for Sophia, who wonders, upon examining a recently discovered bowl: "What Trojan woman last saw it — last used it, for milk or honey?

The New York Times - Books

"Is there any way to keep white people from using computers, before this whole planet is ruined?" Biddle wondered upon discovering the app.

Huffington Post

Let's create cinematic masterworks that exhort us to cherish the planet we have, and all the wonders upon it, rather than jettison it in favor of new turf to kill.

Huffington Post

At the same time, science mechanism and river dynamics of the wonder being based upon are discovered.

Journal of Hydro-environment Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal tone, consider using alternatives like "reflect on" or "contemplate" for more precise and standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "upon" simply as a substitute for "on" in contemporary writing. While not inherently wrong, it often sounds archaic and can make your writing seem unnatural. Stick to "wonder about" or "wonder on" for a more modern feel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wonder upon" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition. While intending to express contemplation or curiosity, it's usage is infrequent and not considered grammatically sound in modern English. Ludwig AI identifies it as potentially confusing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "wonder upon" isn't inherently wrong, it's an uncommon and potentially awkward phrase in modern English. Ludwig AI identifies it as potentially incorrect. Its intended purpose is to express contemplation or curiosity, but standard alternatives like "wonder about", "ponder on", or "reflect on" are generally preferred for clarity and grammatical correctness. If you're aiming for a formal tone, consider using "contemplate" instead. Although it appears in various sources, including news media and academic texts, opting for more conventional phrasing will enhance your writing. Also, it's important to avoid the error of replacing 'on' with 'upon' arbitrarily.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wonder about

Replaces the preposition "upon" with "about", creating a more common and grammatically sound expression.

ponder upon

Substitutes "wonder" with "ponder", which carries a similar meaning of deep thought, while retaining the "upon" preposition, although "ponder on" is more common.

reflect on

Uses "reflect" instead of "wonder", indicating a more deliberate and thoughtful consideration.

contemplate

Replaces the entire phrase with a single verb, "contemplate", signifying a focused and sustained consideration.

speculate about

Emphasizes the speculative nature of the thought process, using "speculate" and the more common preposition "about".

consider

A more general term for thinking about something, replacing the nuanced "wonder upon" with a broader concept.

question

Focuses on the act of asking oneself about something, shifting the emphasis from contemplation to inquiry.

marvel at

Shifts the focus to expressing amazement or awe, using "marvel" instead of "wonder", and requiring the preposition "at".

be curious about

Highlights the feeling of curiosity, replacing "wonder" with a more direct expression of interest and inquiry.

meditate on

Implies a deeper, more spiritual form of contemplation, using "meditate" instead of "wonder" and "on" instead of "upon".

FAQs

Is "wonder upon" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "wonder upon" is less common and can sound awkward to modern ears. It's generally better to use alternatives like "wonder about" or "ponder on".

What's a more formal way to express "wonder upon"?

If you're aiming for a formal tone, consider using "reflect on" or "contemplate" instead of "wonder upon". These options are more common in formal writing.

Can I always replace "on" with "upon"?

No, while "upon" can sometimes replace "on", it's not always appropriate. "Upon" often carries a more formal or archaic tone. In many cases, "on" is the better choice for modern English. See also reflect on.

What are some alternatives to "wonder upon" that emphasize curiosity?

If you want to emphasize curiosity, you could use phrases like "be curious about" or "question". These options directly express a sense of inquiry.