English Phrasal Verbs With “Upon”
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English vocabulary, often causing confusion for learners due to their idiomatic meanings. The preposition “upon” is less common than “on” but appears in several phrasal verbs, adding formality or specificity. Below is a comprehensive guide to phrasal verbs with “upon,” including meanings, examples, and exercises.
1. Act Upon
Meaning: To take action based on information, advice, or instructions.
- The committee will act upon the recommendations in the report.
- She acted upon her doctor’s advice and started exercising regularly.
- The police acted upon the anonymous tip and arrested the suspect.
2. Come Upon
Meaning: To find or discover something by chance.
- While hiking, we came upon a hidden waterfall.
- He came upon an old letter while cleaning the attic.
- She came upon a rare book at the flea market.
3. Dwell Upon
Meaning: To think or talk about something for a long time, often excessively.
- He tends to dwell upon past mistakes instead of moving forward.
- The speaker dwelt upon the importance of education in his speech.
- Don’t dwell upon negative thoughts; focus on solutions.
4. Fall Upon
Meaning: To attack or criticize someone suddenly; also means to eagerly accept something.
- The wolves fell upon the injured deer.
- The critics fell upon the new movie with harsh reviews.
- She fell upon the opportunity to study abroad.
5. Hinge Upon
Meaning: To depend entirely on something for success or outcome.
- The success of the project hinges upon securing enough funding.
- His promotion hinges upon his performance in the next quarter.
- The treaty’s ratification hinges upon approval from all member states.
6. Look Upon
Meaning: To regard or consider someone or something in a particular way.
- She looks upon her mentor as a role model.
- Many people look upon this tradition as outdated.
- He looks upon his failures as learning experiences.
7. Stumble Upon
Meaning: To discover something unexpectedly (similar to “come upon”).
- I stumbled upon an interesting article while browsing the internet.
- They stumbled upon an abandoned cottage in the woods.
- He stumbled upon the answer while reviewing his notes.
8. Touch Upon
Meaning: To briefly mention or discuss a topic.
- The professor touched upon the subject of climate change in his lecture.
- The report touches upon the challenges faced by small businesses.
- She only touched upon her travel experiences in the interview.
Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb from the list above.
- The detective decided to _____ the new evidence immediately.
- While exploring the forest, they _____ a rare species of bird.
- Her happiness _____ whether she gets the job or not.
- He _____ his childhood memories during the conversation.
- The journalist _____ the corruption scandal in her latest article.
Exercise 2: Match the Phrasal Verb to Its Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Act upon | To regard someone in a certain way |
| Look upon | To take action based on advice |
| Hinge upon | To depend entirely on something |
| Stumble upon | To find something by chance |
| Touch upon | To briefly mention a topic |
Exercise 3: Create Sentences
Write a sentence for each of the following phrasal verbs:
- Dwell upon
- Fall upon
- Come upon