Upon vs. Up: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 27, 2023
"Upon" typically denotes being on or above something, often suggesting a connection or an action, whereas "Up" refers to a higher position or movement in an upward direction.
Key Differences
"Upon" is a preposition used to indicate a position on or physical contact with a surface or object, often implying a movement towards or an action associated with it. In contrast, "Up" is an adverb or adjective describing a direction or position that is higher in elevation, often used to denote movement away from the ground or a lower position.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
"Upon" often conveys a figurative or literal placement, signifying an action performed with a specific focus or target, as in "stumbling upon a discovery." "Up," however, typically signifies an increase or improvement, like in "cheering up," where the direction or motion is secondary to the concept of elevation or enhancement.
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Dec 27, 2023
In literature and speech, "Upon" can introduce a condition or situation, implying a consequential relationship, such as "upon reflection." On the other hand, "Up" often indicates completion or finality, as in "summing up," where the emphasis is on concluding or bringing things to a higher level of understanding.
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Dec 27, 2023
"Upon" is used in more formal or literary contexts, adding a sense of gravity or solemnity to the phrase, like "once upon a time." In contrast, "Up" is versatile and informal, used in everyday language to describe physical movements, moods, or states, as in "waking up."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
In expressions, "Upon" tends to form part of a set phrase or idiom, often remaining unchanged in different contexts, for example, "insist upon." Conversely, "Up" is dynamic, adapting to various contexts, like "up the ante," where its meaning can vary significantly.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Function in a Sentence
Introduces conditions, actions
Indicates direction, state change
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Dec 27, 2023
Upon and Up Definitions
Upon
In the context of being engaged in something
She focused upon her work.
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Dec 27, 2023
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Upon
Denoting a base or foundation
The decision was made upon solid evidence.
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Dec 27, 2023
Up
In a direction opposite to the center of the earth or a comparable gravitational center
Up from the lunar surface.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Upon
Used to express a temporal relation
Upon the stroke of midnight, the party ended.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Upon
On
The leaves are scattered upon the grass. He put the book upon the table. Upon hearing the news, we all cheered.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Upon
Physically directly supported by.
The crew set sail upon the sea.
She balanced upon one foot.
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Oct 19, 2023
Upon
Being followed by another so as to form a series.
Hours upon hours, years upon years, mile upon mile of desert
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Oct 19, 2023
Upon
At (a prescribed point in time).
The contract was rendered void upon his death.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
In or toward a position conventionally regarded as higher, as on a scale, chart, or map
Temperatures heading up.
Up in Canada.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Upon
On; - used in all the senses of that word, with which it is interchangeable.
Our host upon his stirrups stood anon.
Thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar.
The Philistines be upon thee, Samson.
As I did stand my watch upon the hill.
He made a great difference between people that did rebel upon wantonness, and them that did rebel upon want.
This advantage we lost upon the invention of firearms.
Upon the whole, it will be necessary to avoid that perpetual repetition of the same epithets which we find in Homer.
He had abandoned the frontiers, retiring upon Glasgow.
Philip swore upon the Evangelists to abstain from aggression in my absence.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Being above a former position or level; higher
My grades are up. The pressure is up.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Marked by increased excitement or agitation; aroused
Our fighting spirit was up.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
(Slang) Happily excited; euphoric
After receiving the award, the performer was really up.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Functioning or capable of functioning normally; operational
Their computers are now up.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
(Sports) Being ahead or at a numerical advantage over one's opponent
Up two strokes in golf.
Up one man during the power play.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Away from the surface of the Earth or other planet; in opposite direction to the downward pull of gravity.
I looked up and saw the airplane overhead.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
To or at a physically higher or more elevated position.
All day we climbed up and up.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
To a higher level of some quantity or notional quantity, such as price, volume, pitch, happiness, etc.
Gold has gone up with the uncertainty in the world markets.
Turn it up, I can barely hear it.
Listen to your voice go up at the end of a question.
Cheer up, the weekend's almost here.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
To or in a position of equal advance or equality; not short of, back of, less advanced than, away from, etc.; usually followed by to or with.
I was up to my chin in water.
A stranger came up and asked me for directions.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
(intensifier) Used as an aspect marker to indicate a completed action or state; thoroughly, completely.
I will mix up the puzzle pieces.
Tear up the contract.
He really messed up.
Please type up our monthly report.
Drink up. The pub is closing.
Can you sum up your research?
The meteor burned up in the atmosphere.
I need to sew up the hole in this shirt.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
To or from one's possession or consideration.
I picked up some milk on the way home.
The committee will take up your request.
She had to give up her driver's license after the accident.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
North.
I live in Florida, but I'm going up to New York to visit my family this weekend.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Towards or at a central place, or any place that is visualised as 'up' by virtue of local features or local convention, or arbitrarily, irrespective of direction or elevation change.
We travelled from Yorkshire up to London.
I'm going up to the other end of town.
He lives up by the railway station.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Aside or away, so as no longer to be present or in use.
To lay up riches; put up your weapons
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
(cricket) Relatively close to the batsman.
The bowler pitched the ball up.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
To university, especially to Cambridge or Oxford.
She's going up to read Classics this September.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Toward the center, source, or main point of reference; toward the end at which something is attached.
The information made its way up the chain of command to the general.
I felt something crawling up my arm.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
From south to north of.
We sailed up the East Coast of England from Ipswich to South Shields.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Further along (in any direction).
Go up the street until you see the sign.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
From the mouth towards the source of (a river or waterway).
He led an expedition up the Amazon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Of a man: having sex with.
Phwoar, look at that bird. I'd love to be up her.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
(colloquial) At (a given place, especially one imagined to be higher or more distant from a central location).
I'll see you later up the snooker club.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
On or at a physically higher level.
The flood waters are up again across large areas of the country.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Headed or designated to go upward (as an escalator, stairway, elevator etc.) or toward (as a run-up).
Where is the up escalator?
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Fitted or fixed at a high or relatively high position, especially on a wall or ceiling.
All the notices are up now.
The Christmas decorations are up.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
(by extension) Available to view or use; made public; posted.
Is your new video up yet? I looked on the website, but I couldn't find it.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Raised; lifted.
The castle drawbridge was up.
Don't go into the living room just now – I've got the carpet up.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
(of the sun or moon) Above the horizon, in the sky.
It'll get warmer once the sun's up.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Larger; greater in quantity, volume, value etc.
Sales are up compared to last quarter.
My temperature is up this morning.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Indicating a larger or higher quantity.
The barometer is up, so fine weather should be on the way.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Ahead; leading; winning.
The home team were up by two goals at half-time.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Finished, to an end
Time is up!
Her contract is up next month, so it's time to negotiate another one.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
(usually in the phrase up for) Willing; ready.
If you are up for a trip, let’s go.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
(not used attributively) Happening; new; of concern. See also what's up, what's up with.
What's up, bro?
What is up with that project at headquarters?
When I saw his face, I knew something was up.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Said of the higher-ranking pair in a two pair.
AAKK = aces up
QQ33 = queens up
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
(of a railway line or train) Traveling towards a major terminus.
The London train is on the up line.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
(uncountable) The direction opposed to the pull of gravity.
Up is a good way to go.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
(countable) A positive thing, or a time or situation when things are going well.
I hate almost everything about my job. The only up is that it's so close to home.
There are many ups to caravanning, but also many downs.
I've been on an up all this week.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
To increase the level or amount of.
If we up the volume, we may be able to hear what he says.
As usual, they've upped the prices for Valentine's Day.
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
To rise to a standing position; hence, by extension, to act suddenly; see also up and.
She was sitting there quietly, then all of a sudden she upped and left.
He just upped and quit.
He upped and punched that guy.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Aloft; on high; in a direction contrary to that of gravity; toward or in a higher place or position; above; - the opposite of down.
But up or down,By center or eccentric, hard to tell.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
From a lower to a higher position, literally or figuratively; as, from a recumbent or sitting position; from the mouth, toward the source, of a river; from a dependent or inferior condition; from concealment; from younger age; from a quiet state, or the like; - used with verbs of motion expressed or implied.
But they presumed to go up unto the hilltop.
I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up.
Up rose the sun, and up rose Emelye.
We have wrought ourselves up into this degree of Christian indifference.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
In a higher place or position, literally or figuratively; in the state of having arisen; in an upright, or nearly upright, position; standing; mounted on a horse; in a condition of elevation, prominence, advance, proficiency, excitement, insurrection, or the like; - used with verbs of rest, situation, condition, and the like; as, to be up on a hill; the lid of the box was up; prices are up.
And when the sun was up, they were scorched.
Those that were up themselves kept others low.
Helen was up - was she?
Rebels there are up,And put the Englishmen unto the sword.
His name was up through all the adjoining provinces, even to Italy and Rome; many desiring to see who he was that could withstand so many years the Roman puissance.
Thou hast fired me; my soul's up in arms.
Grief and passion are like floods raised in little brooks by a sudden rain; they are quickly up.
A general whisper ran among the country people, that Sir Roger was up.
Let us, then, be up and doing,With a heart for any fate.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
To or in a position of equal advance or equality; not short of, back of, less advanced than, away from, or the like; - usually followed by to or with; as, to be up to the chin in water; to come up with one's companions; to come up with the enemy; to live up to engagements.
As a boar was whetting his teeth, up comes a fox to him.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
To or in a state of completion; completely; wholly; quite; as, in the phrases to eat up; to drink up; to burn up; to sum up; etc.; to shut up the eyes or the mouth; to sew up a rent.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Aside, so as not to be in use; as, to lay up riches; put up your weapons.
Up, up, my friend! and quit your books,Or surely you 'll grow double.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
From a lower to a higher place on, upon, or along; at a higher situation upon; at the top of.
In going up a hill, the knees will be most weary; in going down, the thihgs.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
From the coast towards the interior of, as a country; from the mouth towards the source of, as a stream; as, to journey up the country; to sail up the Hudson.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
The state of being up or above; a state of elevation, prosperity, or the like; - rarely occurring except in the phrase ups and downs.
They had their ups and downs of fortune.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Inclining up; tending or going up; upward; as, an up look; an up grade; the up train.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level;
The anchor is up
The sun is up
He lay face up
He is up by a pawn
The market is up
The corn is up
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Extending or moving toward a higher place;
The up staircase
A general upward movement of fish
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
(usually followed by `on' or `for') in readiness;
He was up on his homework
Had to be up for the game
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
(used of computers) operating properly;
How soon will the computers be up?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Up
Spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position;
Look up!
The music surged up
The fragments flew upwards
Prices soared upwards
Upwardly mobile
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
To a more central or a more northerly place;
Was transferred up to headquarters
Up to Canada for a vacation
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Oct 19, 2023
Up
Indicating movement away from the earth’s surface
The balloon floated up.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "up" used only for physical direction?
No, it's used for direction, state changes, and intensity levels.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Does "up" have a positive connotation?
Often, especially when indicating improvement or elevation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Is "upon" commonly used in modern speech?
Less so, more common in formal or literary contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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