You know that feeling when you want to sound smarter in your writing but keep repeating the same word over and over? It’s like hitting a wall! If you’ve been using “upon” too much, don’t worry. In this post, I’ve got you covered with 18 fantastic alternatives. You’ll find synonyms for “upon” that will not only spice up your writing but also help you get your point across better. Let’s dive into some fun and easy ways to level up your vocabulary. Ready? Here we go!
1. On
“On” is one of the easiest and most commonly used synonyms for “upon.” It fits in many situations, whether you’re talking about something physically placed or metaphorically happening. For example, you might say, “The book is on the table.” Or, “She smiled on hearing the good news.” It’s simple and versatile, making it perfect for everyday use. Whenever “upon” feels too formal or awkward, just swap it with “on.” Whether you’re writing an email, a report, or even a story, this word will help you sound more natural.
2. At
“At” is another great alternative for “upon,” especially when referring to specific locations or moments. It’s commonly used in both formal and casual settings. For example, instead of saying “Upon arriving at the station,” you could say “At arriving at the station.” Similarly, “She looked at the sky,” sounds just as good as using “upon.” “At” helps convey a sense of a place or time, making it a handy word to have in your vocabulary arsenal.
3. After
“After” is perfect when you want to describe something happening once another action has occurred. It’s a go-to word in both spoken and written English. For example, you could say, “After hearing the news, she was in shock.” It works when you’re talking about sequences of events. Rather than saying “Upon hearing the news,” just swap it with “after,” and it sounds casual and easy to understand. “After” helps make your writing smoother and more direct.
4. Following
“Following” is often used as a synonym for “upon,” especially in more formal contexts. It suggests something happening directly after something else. For example, instead of saying “Upon completing the task,” you could say “Following the completion of the task.” It sounds professional, making it ideal for business or academic writing. You might also say, “Following her speech, the audience applauded.” “Following” helps to keep things clear without sounding too stiff.
5. Over
“Over” can be a great replacement for “upon” when referring to a position above something or an action occurring with control. For example, you might say “The bird flew over the house.” Or, in a more figurative sense, “She had control over the situation.” “Over” gives a sense of something being in charge or happening at a higher level. It’s casual yet strong enough to elevate your sentence without sounding too formal or old-fashioned.
6. When
“When” works as a more casual synonym for “upon” when you’re referring to a time or moment something happens. It’s simple but effective in many cases. For example, instead of “Upon realizing the mistake,” you can say “When realizing the mistake.” Or, “When she entered the room, everyone stopped talking.” “When” helps set the timing of an action, making it a practical choice for everyday writing. It makes your sentences flow more naturally and is easy to understand.
7. As
“As” is a flexible synonym that you can use to show something happening at the same time as another event. It’s great for adding some flow to your writing. For instance, “As the door opened, the dog ran inside.” You could also say, “As he spoke, everyone listened intently.” Using “as” instead of “upon” makes your sentence feel more immediate and active. It’s an excellent choice for adding more action to your sentences, especially in storytelling.
8. Beneath
“Beneath” works well as a replacement for “upon” when talking about something physically under something else. It adds a touch of imagery to your writing. For example, “The treasure was hidden beneath the floorboards.” Or, “The dog lay beneath the tree, resting.” “Beneath” can also be used figuratively, such as, “He acted beneath his usual standard.” Using “beneath” instead of “upon” adds depth and richness to your sentences, both literally and metaphorically.
9. On top of
“On top of” is a great substitute for “upon” when you want to emphasize something physically placed above something else. For instance, you might say “The keys are on top of the counter.” Or, “He stood on top of the hill and looked around.” This phrase can also be used in a figurative sense, like “On top of being tired, she was also hungry.” It adds a sense of importance or priority, making it a strong choice when you want to give extra attention to something.
10. With
“With” is often used to suggest something happening together or in connection with something else. It’s a go-to word that helps you describe relationships and actions more fluidly. For example, “With a smile, he welcomed everyone to the party.” Or, “She spoke with confidence during the meeting.” “With” creates a sense of association and partnership, making your writing feel more natural and connected. It’s an easy yet effective synonym to use when you want to describe how things happen together.
11. During
“During” works as a solid replacement for “upon” when you want to describe an action happening throughout a specific time. It’s ideal when talking about events that unfold over time. For example, “During the meeting, he presented his ideas.” You can also say, “She remained calm during the storm.” Using “during” helps focus on the time frame of an action, making it a useful word in both storytelling and factual writing.
12. Before
“Before” is a straightforward synonym for “upon,” used when something happens earlier than another event. It’s a simple way to convey timing. For example, “Before leaving the house, make sure you have everything.” Or, “Before the meeting started, they prepared the room.” It’s especially helpful when you want to set up a sequence of events. “Before” keeps things easy to follow and ensures your writing stays clear and logical.
13. On the occasion of
This phrase is a more formal option that works well in specific contexts. It’s often used when something happens because of a special event. For example, “On the occasion of her birthday, they threw a surprise party.” Or, “On the occasion of the wedding, the guests gave heartfelt speeches.” This synonym adds elegance to your writing and is ideal when describing events that are out of the ordinary or celebratory.
14. Throughout
“Throughout” works as a great alternative when you want to express something happening continuously or over the span of something. It’s a great word to show that something is consistent. For example, “Throughout the day, she worked tirelessly.” Or, “The concert was amazing throughout the entire evening.” This word is especially useful for emphasizing duration or continuity, making it a strong choice in many contexts.
15. In the course of
“In the course of” is another formal option for replacing “upon” when describing actions that happen during a period. It’s a little more specific, often used in professional writing. For example, “In the course of his career, he accomplished many things.” Or, “In the course of the experiment, the results were recorded.” It’s a great choice for giving context to a series of actions that happen over time.
16. Following shortly after
This phrase is perfect when you want to suggest something happening almost immediately after another event. It emphasizes the quick transition between actions. For example, “Following shortly after the announcement, everyone began celebrating.” Or, “She left the meeting, following shortly after the decision was made.” It’s a great phrase when you want to show a prompt reaction or sequence.
17. Based on
“Based on” is used when one event or action is influenced by another. It’s perfect for giving context to decisions or actions that are grounded in prior events. For example, “Based on his experience, he made the recommendation.” Or, “The decision was made based on the facts presented.” This phrase works well in analytical or decision-making contexts, showing cause and effect.
18. Because of
“Because of” is a great synonym to replace “upon” when explaining reasons behind actions. It’s a casual and clear way to show why something happens. For example, “Because of the rain, the event was postponed.” Or, “She was late because of traffic.” It’s an easy and relatable way to show causality in any situation.
I hope this list of synonyms for “upon” helps you write more creatively and naturally! Now, instead of relying on that one word, you have a bunch of exciting alternatives to choose from. So next time you write, use these alternatives to bring some variety and freshness to your sentences.
