upon
gb/əpˈɑn/ us/əpˈɑn/
B2
Anglais
~ 500
Sens
0 sens
preposition
formal
B2
relation
1
immediately after something happens
Used to mean right after something happens.
Schéma d’usage :
upon [noun/gerund]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often confuse 'upon' with 'on' in temporal contexts; 'upon' is more formal and often used in writing.
Synonymes
immediately after (More explicit and less formal than 'upon')
Antonymes
before (Indicates the opposite sequence in time)
Collocations
upon arrival
|upon completion
|upon request
|upon entering
Thèmes
time
|sequence
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Upon arrival at the hotel, we checked in immediately.
- The contract will be effective upon signature by both parties.
- Upon hearing the news, she burst into tears.
- The lights came on upon entering the room.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Upon arrival, we went to our room.
- You must pay upon delivery.
- He left upon hearing the bell.
- We started work upon reaching the office.
preposition
formal
B2
relation
2
on top of something
Used to mean that something is on top of something else.
Schéma d’usage :
upon [noun]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may overuse 'upon' instead of 'on' in everyday speech; 'upon' can sound overly formal in casual contexts.
Synonymes
on ('On' is more common and less formal)
Antonymes
under (Indicates a position below a surface)
Collocations
rest upon
|sit upon
|stand upon
Thèmes
space
|location
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The book lay upon the table.
- Snow had settled upon the rooftops.
- He placed his hand gently upon her shoulder.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The cat sat upon the chair.
- A glass was upon the desk.
- Leaves fell upon the ground.
preposition
formal
B2
relation
3
depending or relying on something
Used to mean that something depends on or is affected by something else.
Schéma d’usage :
upon [noun/gerund]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may use 'upon' in casual speech where 'on' is more natural; 'upon' often appears in formal writing.
Synonymes
on ('On' is more common in modern informal use)
Antonymes
independent of (Indicates lack of dependence)
Collocations
depend upon
|rely upon
|based upon
Thèmes
cause_effect
|conditions
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Success depends upon hard work.
- The decision is based upon careful research.
- We rely upon your support to continue.
Exemples pédagogiques
- We depend upon good weather for the trip.
- Her success is based upon skill.
- They rely upon friends for help.
Grammaire
Expressions
act upon
1/ˈækt əpˈɑn/
phrasal verb
formal
take action based on advice/info
To do something because of information, advice, or orders you have received.
Exemples
- The police acted upon the tip-off immediately.
- We should act upon her suggestions to improve our service.
call upon
1/kˈɔl əpˈɑn/
phrasal verb
formal
formally ask someone to act
To ask someone to do something in a formal way.
Exemples
- The chairman called upon the members to vote.
- We call upon all citizens to help those in need.
come upon
1/kˈʌm əpˈɑn/
phrasal verb
find unexpectedly
To find or see something by chance.
Exemples
- We came upon an old house in the woods.
- While cleaning, I came upon some forgotten letters.
look upon
1/lˈʊk əpˈɑn/
phrasal verb
formal
regard or consider as
To think of someone or something in a certain way.
Exemples
- They looked upon him as a hero.
- She looks upon her colleagues as family.
once upon a time
1/wˈʌns əpˈɑn ə tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
literary
Traditional story beginning phrase
A phrase used at the start of old stories to mean 'a long time ago'.
Exemples
- Once upon a time, there was a small village by the sea.
- Once upon a time, there was a little princess who loved to sing.
- Once upon a time, a brave knight lived in a faraway land.
- Once upon a time, people traveled by horse and carriage.