How is “upon” used in English grammar?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should you say “rely upon” or “rely on?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Listen in today and learn how to use \u2018upon\u2019 in different speaking scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aubrey asks Lindsay who she relies upon in her life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lindsay says she has a lot of people she can rely upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She has her parents, her spouse and even her brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She feels lucky to have so many people to depend on in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lindsay mentions she loves the question and it sounds a little formal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In conversations like this, between two friends, using \u2018upon\u2019 can sound out of place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s better used in a professional or formal setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today\u2019s episode topic is inspired by a listener question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nFirst of all, congrats for the show! I downloaded AllEarsEnglish about a month ago and I love it. I listen to it every single day when I\u2019m driving to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d like you guys to explain a little bit about the word Upon and how to use it exactly. I\u2019ve always had a hard time understanding it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\u2018Upon\u2019 vs \u2018on\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The word \u2018upon\u2019 is often interchangeable with the preposition \u2018on.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many ways you can use it to elevate your conversations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It creates a more formal tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n#1: A more formal term for \u2018on\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As mentioned above, you can replace the word \u2018upon\u2019 with \u2018on\u2019 to increase formality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is common in writing, especially academic or literary works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- The research was based upon two surveys.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- He set the flowers upon the table.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n#2: Up and on<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Using \u2018upon\u2019 in this way means you are going upward so as to get or be on something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It sounds poetic or literary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- He climbed upon the horse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The circus performer rode upon the elephant\u2019s back.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n#3: Something will be experienced soon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is commonly used in daily conversations to say something will be happening soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this case, you can\u2019t replace \u2018upon\u2019 with \u2018on.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- Another few weeks and spring will be upon us.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Exams will be upon you before you know it. Better start studying!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n#4: Happening soon after or because of something else<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Upon indicates another event that will happen right after what is being mentioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- Upon hearing the alarm, we all evacuated the building.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Upon arrival at the airport, they went straight to baggage claim.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n#5: Once upon a time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re likely familiar with this phrase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It often begins in fables, fairy tales, or English stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You’ll notice they start with \u201cOnce upon a time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This phrase has been used to introduce English narratives since at least 1380 according to the Oxford English Dictionary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nRoleplay<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that you\u2019ve learned the several ways you can use \u2018upon\u2019 rather than the preposition \u2018on\u2019, here is a quick roleplay from Lindsay and Aubrey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They\u2019ve implemented the ways they shared in this episode for you to elevate your conversation using the word \u2018upon.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this scenario, Aubrey and Lindsay are visiting after a funeral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nLindsay:<\/strong> I\u2019ll miss your cousin. She was such a good friend.
Aubrey:<\/strong> Once upon a time we were very close but, unfortunately, we hadn\u2019t seen each other in years. She was definitely someone you could rely upon.
Lindsay:<\/strong> You did a really good job on the life sketch. Was it difficult to prepare?
Aubrey:<\/strong> It was an emotional experience, but she had kept journals so I was able to base it upon her writing which was nice.
Lindsay: <\/strong>I\u2019m glad I could be here. Immediately upon arrival, I ran into someone from high school. It\u2019s nice to see old friends who also knew her.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nTakeaway<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prepositions in English can be tricky, especially when they\u2019re similar, like \u2018upon\u2019 and \u2018on.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning the best time to use the right preposition so that you don\u2019t sound awkward and break the connection is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In general, the word \u2018upon\u2019 can be interchangeable with \u2018on\u2019 when you want to be formal and\/or show respect in a conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can take practice to smoothly know when to use the right preposition<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always prioritize making a good connection and keep the conversation going<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n