Word Confusion: Up On versus Upon

Posted February 26, 2015 by Kathy Davie in Author Resources, Self-Editing, Word Confusions, Writing

Revised as of
7 Jan 2023

This word confusion — up on vs upon — is simple and complex. Simple when it comes to the keeping abreast of up on. Complex when distinguishing between the adverbs of up on and upon as well as its prepositional version.

The adverb version of up on feels more actively physical while either upon is more passive. In some instances, it’s almost abstract.

Consider the following:
Up On	Upon
Mom, Johnny and Greg are ganging up on me! Adverb as it modifies the “ganging”	That oak will reach 80- to 100-feet tall upon maturity. Adverb as the tree’s reaching maturity is a specified point in time
You can’t just sneak up on us! Adverb. It modifies the “sneak”	Fall is almost upon us, and I am looking forward to hot ciders and beefy thick stews. Preposition with fall very close
Hang on, I gotta check up on my dogs. Adjective as “I” is on a schedule or looking for information	I took it upon myself to make some coffee since you weren’t here. Adverb, as the target of an action
One of these days, I am going to catch up on my rest! Adverb, modifying “catch”	With her prayers, a sense of peace descended upon her, and she was content. Preposition for the peace that arrived

Consider the following:

Up On

Upon

Mom, Johnny and Greg are ganging up on me!

Adverb as it modifies the “ganging”

That oak will reach 80- to 100-feet tall upon maturity.

Adverb as the tree’s reaching maturity is a specified point in time

You can’t just sneak up on us!

Adverb. It modifies the “sneak”

Fall is almost upon us, and I am looking forward to hot ciders and beefy thick stews.

Preposition with fall very close

Hang on, I gotta check up on my dogs.

Adjective as “I” is on a schedule or looking for information

I took it upon myself to make some coffee since you weren’t here.

Adverb, as the target of an action

One of these days, I am going to catch up on my rest!

Adverb, modifying “catch”

With her prayers, a sense of peace descended upon her, and she was content.

Preposition for the peace that arrived

What I find most useful in determining which to use, is to isolate the sentence with up on or upon in it. Then read over the examples, all of them. Check out the definitions. It helps. What can I say, this is a tricky one.

Word Confusions . . .

. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.

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Up On	Upon
DARPA Strategic Plan by DARPA is in the public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. — Reading a DARPA plan seems a good way to keep up on developments.	Once Upon a Time WPA Poster, ca. 1938, by Kenneth Whitley is in the public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Part of Grammar:
Adjective; Adverb	Compound word Adverb; Preposition
Adjective: Well informed about Abreast Being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge Being on schedule Adverb: From a lower to a higher place or position In a high position or place Toward the sky or ceiling	Adverb: [Obsolete] On the surface Being the target of an action Incidental to a specified point in time or order of action Usually combined with here-, there-, or where- [Obsolete] Thereafter, thereon Preposition: Used to say that someone or something is very close or has arrived Used to emphasize something that is repeated many times
Examples:
Adjective: He was up on the latest news. Jamie was caught up on his homework. Are you up on the news? Adverb: The kids climbed up on the roof. She hung a picture up on the wall. You’re really up on the celebrity gossip, aren’t you?	Adverb: He was set upon by the agitated dogs. The clock struck noon, whereupon the students proceeded to lunch. It was a canvas not painted upon. Some months ago angry demonstrators mounted a noisy demonstration beneath his window. His neighbors thereupon insisted upon more security. Preposition: Once upon a time . . . He carefully placed the vase upon the table. She was seated upon a throne. It was based upon two principles. She was admitted to his office immediately upon her arrival. Christmas is almost upon us. That kind of behavior is frowned upon.
History of the Word:
Before the 12th century.	Its first known use was the 12th century. Middle English 13th century.

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C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!

Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.

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