upon
upon — preposition
1. used as a more formal or literary way of saying 'on', either showing physical co
used as a more formal or literary way of saying 'on', either showing physical contact with a surface, introducing a topic, or marking the moment when something happens.
Shirin placed the heavy box upon the wooden table near the kitchen window.
physical position: upon + place noun
Upon hearing the news, Niran immediately called his family back home.
time: upon + gerund = immediately after
Hugo wrote a thoughtful essay upon the role of technology in modern education.
A heavy fine was imposed upon the factory for polluting the nearby river.
The committee agreed upon a new schedule for the project after a long discussion.
文法句型
upon + noun/gerund
用法筆記
More formal than 'on'. Common in legal documents, academic writing, and literature. In everyday speech, prefer 'on' unless using a fixed phrase like 'upon request' or 'upon arrival'.
常見錯誤
2. used with a form of 'be' to say that a future season, deadline, or event is abou
used with a form of 'be' to say that a future season, deadline, or event is about to reach someone and will need their attention or action.
Winter was upon the village before anyone had repaired the broken roof.
be upon = approach (of seasons)
The final exam is upon the students, so the library is packed every night.
Christmas was upon the Wong family, and the streets were filled with shoppers.
The storm was upon the town before the warning sirens could be heard.
The moment of truth was upon Christopher as he stepped onto the dark stage.
- approaching
adjective; less dramatic than 'be upon'
- impending
adjective, formal; 'upon' is a preposition rather than adjective
文法句型
be + upon + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always follows a form of 'be' (is/was/are/were). The subject is typically an event, season, or deadline, and the object is a person or group who will experience it (be upon us/them/the town).
upon — adverb
1. used in formal or literary English to mean 'on the surface of something' or 'on
used in formal or literary English to mean 'on the surface of something' or 'on top of something', followed by a noun phrase that describes the surface.
The old desk had several layers of paint upon its scratched surface.
upon + noun phrase = on the surface of
Small ferns grew upon the damp stone wall behind the old cottage.
literal surface: grew upon = grew on top of
A crisp white cloth was spread upon the dining table for the celebration.
No trees or grass grew upon the bare rock of the mountain peak.
文法句型
upon + noun phrase (on the surface)
用法筆記
Extremely rare in modern English. Found only in older literary works or deliberately poetic writing. In everyday English, 'on' or 'on top of' replaces this construction.
2. used in very formal or literary English to mean 'after that' or 'immediately fol
used in very formal or literary English to mean 'after that' or 'immediately following that event', linking two actions in sequence.
The queen nodded once. Thereupon, the palace guards opened the heavy gates.
thereupon = immediately after that
The judge finished her statement, and upon hearing it, the whole courtroom fell silent.
and upon + gerund = immediately after
Upon the music's end, a deep silence filled the vast concert hall.
The treaty was signed, and upon its ratification, the two countries entered a new era of peace.
The rain stopped, and upon its passing, the sun appeared from behind the grey clouds.
文法句型
Thereupon, + clause
and upon + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Highly literary and old-fashioned. Most modern writers use 'thereupon', 'whereupon', or simply 'then' instead of 'and upon'.