upon
/əˈpɒn/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈpɑːn/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈpȯn -ˈpän/ (ame, mw)
upon — 介系詞
1. used as a more formal or literary way of saying 'on', either showing physical co
在…上
正式用語，等於on，表在表面、時間或主題
used as a more formal or literary way of saying 'on', either showing physical contact with a surface, introducing a topic, or marking the moment when something happens.
Shirin placed the heavy box upon the wooden table near the kitchen window.
Shirin 把那個沉重的箱子放在廚房窗戶旁邊的木桌上。
physical position: upon + place noun
Upon hearing the news, Niran immediately called his family back home.
Niran 一聽到這個消息，就立刻打電話給家鄉的家人。
time: upon + gerund = immediately after
Hugo wrote a thoughtful essay upon the role of technology in modern education.
Hugo 針對科技在現代教育中的角色，寫了一篇深思熟慮的文章。
A heavy fine was imposed upon the factory for polluting the nearby river.
那家工廠因為污染附近的河流而被處以鉅額罰款。
The committee agreed upon a new schedule for the project after a long discussion.
經過長時間討論後，委員會就專案的新時程達成一致意見。
文法句型
upon + noun/gerund
用法筆記
More formal than 'on'. Common in legal documents, academic writing, and literature. In everyday speech, prefer 'on' unless using a fixed phrase like 'upon request' or 'upon arrival'.
常見錯誤
2. used with a form of 'be' to say that a future season, deadline, or event is abou
即將來臨
某事將很快發生或到來
used with a form of 'be' to say that a future season, deadline, or event is about to reach someone and will need their attention or action.
Winter was upon the village before anyone had repaired the broken roof.
在任何人修好破損的屋頂之前，冬天就已經降臨這個村莊。
be upon = approach (of seasons)
The final exam is upon the students, so the library is packed every night.
期末考即將來臨，學生們每晚都把圖書館擠得滿滿的。
Christmas was upon the Wong family, and the streets were filled with shoppers.
聖誕節即將來臨，街上擠滿了購物人潮。
The storm was upon the town before the warning sirens could be heard.
在警報聲響起之前，暴風雨就已經逼近了那座小鎮。
The moment of truth was upon Christopher as he stepped onto the dark stage.
Christopher 踏上漆黑的舞台時，關鍵時刻來臨了。
- approaching
adjective; less dramatic than 'be upon'
- impending
adjective, formal; 'upon' is a preposition rather than adjective
文法句型
be + upon + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always follows a form of 'be' (is/was/are/were). The subject is typically an event, season, or deadline, and the object is a person or group who will experience it (be upon us/them/the town).
upon — 副詞
1. used in formal or literary English to mean 'on the surface of something' or 'on
在上面
在某物的表面上
used in formal or literary English to mean 'on the surface of something' or 'on top of something', followed by a noun phrase that describes the surface.
The old desk had several layers of paint upon its scratched surface.
舊書桌的刮傷表面上積了好幾層油漆。
upon + noun phrase = on the surface of
Small ferns grew upon the damp stone wall behind the old cottage.
小蕨類植物長在舊小屋後方潮濕的石牆上。
literal surface: grew upon = grew on top of
A crisp white cloth was spread upon the dining table for the celebration.
慶祝活動時，餐桌上鋪了一塊潔白的桌布。
No trees or grass grew upon the bare rock of the mountain peak.
山頂的裸岩上沒有樹木或雜草生長。
文法句型
upon + noun phrase (on the surface)
用法筆記
Extremely rare in modern English. Found only in older literary works or deliberately poetic writing. In everyday English, 'on' or 'on top of' replaces this construction.
2. used in very formal or literary English to mean 'after that' or 'immediately fol
隨後
緊接著某事之後
used in very formal or literary English to mean 'after that' or 'immediately following that event', linking two actions in sequence.
The queen nodded once. Thereupon, the palace guards opened the heavy gates.
女王點了點頭。隨後，宮殿衛兵打開了沉重的大門。
thereupon = immediately after that
The judge finished her statement, and upon hearing it, the whole courtroom fell silent.
法官說完判決後，在場人士一聽此言，整個法庭陷入一片寂靜。
and upon + gerund = immediately after
Upon the music's end, a deep silence filled the vast concert hall.
音樂一結束，巨大的音樂廳內便充滿了一片深深的寂靜。
The treaty was signed, and upon its ratification, the two countries entered a new era of peace.
條約簽署並經批准後，兩國進入了和平的新時代。
The rain stopped, and upon its passing, the sun appeared from behind the grey clouds.
雨停了，雨過之後，太陽從灰色的雲層後露了出來。
文法句型
Thereupon, + clause
and upon + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Highly literary and old-fashioned. Most modern writers use 'thereupon', 'whereupon', or simply 'then' instead of 'and upon'.