Preposition - Upon
What is a preposition?
A preposition is a word used before a noun or pronoun to show the relationship between people, places, things, or time in a sentence. It helps us understand position, direction, time, and connection. Common prepositions are in, on, at, under, behind, between, and with. Prepositions make sentences clear and meaningful by connecting different parts of a sentence properly.
Examples:
• The book is on the table.
• She arrived at school early.
Preposition वह शब्द होता है जो किसी noun या pronoun के पहले आकर उसके संबंध को किसी व्यक्ति, स्थान, वस्तु या समय से जोड़ता है। यह स्थान, दिशा, समय और संबंध को स्पष्ट करता है। सामान्य prepositions हैं: in, on, at, under, behind, between, और with Preposition वाक्य को स्पष्ट और अर्थपूर्ण बनाने में मदद करता है।
उदाहरण:
• किताब मेज़ पर है।
• वह स्कूल में जल्दी पहुँची।
ALL POSSIBLE USES OF “UPON”
1. “Upon” = On / On the surface of
(Formal form of “on”)
English:
Used to show something is on a surface
Hindi:
“पर / के ऊपर” (किसी सतह पर)
Structure: Subject + verb + upon + surface
1. The king sat upon his throne.
👉राजा अपने सिंहासनपर बैठा।
Explanation:
- यहाँ “upon” का प्रयोग इसलिए किया गया क्योंकि यह formal और royal tone देता है।
- “on” भी सही है, लेकिन “upon” sentence को grand और literary बनाता है।
- “onto” गलत है क्योंकि यहाँ movement नहीं है, पहले से बैठा हुआ है।
2. A beautiful painting hangs upon the wall.
👉एक सुंदर पेंटिंग दीवार पर टंगी है।
Explanation:
- “upon” यहाँ descriptive और formal style दिखाने के लिए है।
- “on the wall” भी सही है (common English)।
- “onto” नहीं आएगा क्योंकि कोई movement (लटकाना) नहीं दिखाया गया।
3. The cat was sleeping upon the sofa.
👉 बिल्ली सोफेपर सो रही थी।
Explanation:
- “upon” यहाँ sentence को story-like / literary tone देता है।
- “on” daily conversation में ज्यादा common है।
- “onto” नहीं क्योंकि बिल्ली पहले से वहाँ है (no movement)।
4.He placed his hand gently upon her shoulder.
👉 उसने अपना हाथ धीरे से उसके कंधेपर रखा।
Explanation:
- यहाँ “upon” से softness और emotion express होता है।
- “on” भी possible है, but less expressive।
- “onto” movement दिखाता है, लेकिन यहाँ focus action की quality (gentle) पर है, इसलिए “upon” बेहतर है।
5. The crown rested upon the queen’s head.
👉मुकुट रानी के सिर पर रखा हुआ था।
Explanation:
- “upon” यहाँ formal / royal context के लिए use हुआ है।
- “on” भी सही है, but less elegant।
- “onto” गलत है क्योंकि resting (already placed) है, movement नहीं।
2. Upon- Immediately after (as soon as)
English:
Used to show that one action happens immediately after another.
Hindi:
“जैसे ही / तुरंत बाद”
Structure: Upon + noun/verb(-ing), clause
1. Upon hearing the loud noise, he ran outside.
👉 जैसे ही उसने तेज आवाज सुनी, वह बाहर भाग गया।
Explanation:
“Upon hearing” = “as soon as he heard”
- ❌ Not “on” → because we need immediate reaction (instant action)
- ❌ Not “onto” → because “onto” shows movement to a surface
2. Upon arriving at the station, she called her friend.
👉 स्टेशन पर पहुंचते ही उसने अपने दोस्त को फोन किया।
Explanation:
“Upon arriving” = arrival के तुरंत बाद
- ❌ “On arriving” is possible, but “upon” is more formal and clearer for immediacy
- ❌ “Onto” is incorrect (movement, not time)
3. Upon seeing the teacher, the students became silent.
👉 शिक्षक को देखते ही छात्र शांत होगए।
Explanation:
“Upon seeing” = जैसे ही देखा
- ❌ “On seeing” sounds less formal
- ❌ “Onto seeing” ❌ (wrong structure)
4. Upon completion of the work, submit the report.
👉 काम पूरा होते ही रिपोर्ट जमा करें।
Explanation:
“Upon completion” = जैसे ही काम पूरा हो
- ❌ “On completion” is okay but less formal
- ❌ “Onto completion” ❌ (wrong meaning)
5. Upon opening the box, he found a surprise inside.
👉डिब्बा खोलते ही उसे अंदर एक सरप्राइज मिला।
Explanation:
- “Upon opening” = immediately after opening
- ❌ “On opening” is acceptable but less formal
- ❌ “Onto opening” ❌ (incorrect usage)
3. Upon = As a result of / Because of
English:
Shows cause or reason.
Hindi:
“के कारण / की वजह से”
1.Upon his request, we canceled the meeting.
👉 उसके अनुरोध पर / के कारण हमने मीटिंग रद्द कर दी।
Explanation:
Here, action happened because of his request.
- We use “upon” (formal cause).
- ❌ “On” is less formal and weaker here.
- ❌ “Onto” is wrong (it shows movement).
2. Upon receiving your message, I took action immediately.
👉 आपका संदेश मिलनेपर / के कारण मैंने तुरंत कार्रवाई की।
Explanation:
The action happened as a result of receiving the message.
- “Upon” shows direct cause + immediacy.
- ❌ “On receiving” is possible but less formal.
- ❌ “Onto” cannot be used.
3. Upon his arrival, everyone stood up.
👉 उसके आनेपर / के कारण सभी खड़े हो गए।
Explanation:
Everyone stood up because he arrived.
- “Upon” shows event → reaction.
- ❌ “On arrival” is okay but more common, less formal.
- ❌ “Onto arrival” is incorrect.
4. Upon careful consideration, the judge made a decision.
👉 सावधानीपूर्वक विचार करनेके कारण जज ने निर्णय लिया।
Explanation:
Decision happened because of careful thinking.
- “Upon” shows basis/reason.
- ❌ “On” sounds less formal.
- ❌ “Onto” is not possible.
5. Upon your advice, I changed my plan.
👉आपकी सलाहपर / के कारण मैंने अपनी योजना बदल दी।
Explanation:
- Plan changed because of your advice.
- “Upon” gives a formal, cause-based meaning.
- ❌ “On your advice” is possible but informal.
- ❌ “Onto” cannot be used.
4. “Upon” = Based on / Depending on
English:
Used when something depends on something else.
Hindi: “के आधार पर / पर निर्भर”
1. The decision was made upon his advice.
👉निर्णय उसके सलाह पर आधारित था।
Explanation:
Here, “upon” shows that the decision depends on / is based on his advice.
“On” is possible, but “upon” sounds more formal and correct in such structures.
“Onto” is wrong because it shows movement (गति).
2. Your success depends upon your hard work.
👉तुम्हारी सफलता तुम्हारी मेहनतपर निर्भर करती है।
Explanation:
“Depend upon” is a fixed formal expression.
We don’t use “onto” because there is no movement.
“Depend on” is common, but “depend upon” is more formal and preferred in writing.
3. There results are based upon the data collected.
👉परिणाम एकत्रित किए गए डेटापर आधारित हैं।
Explanation:
“Based upon” means completely
supported by something.
“Based on” is also correct, but “upon”
gives a formal tone.
“Onto” is incorrect (movement idea).
4. Payment will be made upon completion of the work.
👉काम पूरा होनेपर निर्भर करके भुगतान किया जाएगा।
Explanation:
Here, payment depends on completion.
“Upon” shows a condition (शर्त).
“On completion” is also used, but “upon” sounds more official.
“Onto” is not possible here.
5. The company acts upon customer feedback.
👉कंपनी ग्राहक की प्रतिक्रियाके आधार पर कार्य करती है।
Explanation:
“Act upon” means take action based on something.
“On” is less strong; “upon” emphasizes dependence or basis.
“Onto” cannot be used because no movement is involved.
Use “upon” when:
- You want to show dependence / basis (आधार / निर्भरता)
- You want a formal tone (formal English)
Avoid “onto” because it always shows: ➡️ movement toward a surface (किसी सतह की ओर गति)
5. Upon = On the occasion of
English:
Used for events or special moments.
Hindi:
“के अवसर पर”
1.“Upon” his arrival, everyone stood up.
👉उसके आने पर (जैसे ही वह आया) सब खड़े हो गए।
Explanation:
Here “arrival” is an occasion/event
- “Upon” shows immediate reaction to that event
- ❌ “On his arrival” is possible, but less expressive
- ❌ “Onto” is wrong (it shows movement)
2. Upon the announcement, people started clapping.
👉घोषणा होने पर लोग ताली बजाने लगे।
Explanation:
“Announcement” = an event/occasion
- “Upon” emphasizes reaction right after the event
- ❌ “On” is weaker in formal tone
- ❌ “Onto” cannot be used (no movement)
3. Upon hearing the news, she fainted.
👉खबर सुनते ही वह बेहोश हो गई।
Explanation:
“Hearing the news” = occasion
- “Upon” shows immediate effect
- ❌ “On hearing” is correct but less
formal - ❌ “Onto hearing” ❌ completely
incorrect
4. Upon his request, we allowed him to enter.
👉उसके अनुरोध पर हमने उसे अंदर आने दिया।
Explanation:
“Request” = occasion/reason
- “Upon” shows action taken because of that occasion
- ❌ “On his request” is possible but less formal
- ❌ “Onto” cannot be used
5. Upon completion of the work, submit the report.
👉काम पूरा होने पर रिपोर्ट जमा करें।
Explanation:
“Completion” = specific occasion/time point
- “Upon” = as soon as that event happens
- ❌ “On completion” is common but less formal
- ❌ “Onto completion” ❌ wrong
Final Tip (Very Important)
Use “Upon” when:
- You want to show “as soon as / on the occasion of”
- You are writing formal English (exam, notice, story, article)
6. Upon = On / At the time of (formal)
English:
Used in formal writing for “when”.
Hindi:
“जब / के समय”
1. “Upon” arrival, please report to the office.
👉पहुँचते ही कृपया कार्यालय में रिपोर्ट करें।
Explanation:
We use “upon arrival” to
mean “at the time of arrival / as soon as you arrive.”
- It is formal and common
in instructions or notices. - “On arrival” is possible, but “upon”
sounds more official.
2. “Upon” hearing the news, he became silent.
👉खबर सुनते ही वह चुप हो गया।
Explanation:
“Upon hearing” = immediately when he heard
- We use “upon” to show instant reaction at that moment
- “On hearing” is less formal; “onto” is incorrect here ❌
3. “Upon” completion of the work, submit the report.
👉काम पूरा होते ही रिपोर्ट जमा करें।
Explanation:
- “Upon completion” = at the
time when work is completed - This structure is very common
in formal writing, exams, and instructions - “On completion” is okay, but “upon”
is more formal and preferred
4. “Upon” his request, we allowed him to enter.
👉उसके अनुरोध पर हमने उसे अंदर आने दिया।
Explanation:
“Upon his request” = at the time of / because of his request
- Shows a formal cause or condition
- “On his request” is less natural; “onto” cannot be used ❌
5. “Upon” opening the door, she saw a stranger.
👉दरवाज़ा खोलते ही उसने एक अजनबी को देखा।
Explanation:
“Upon opening” = immediately after opening
- Used for sequence of actions in a formal or story-like tone
- “On opening” is simpler, but upon adds a literary feel
7. Upon = In contact with
English: Shows physical contact.
Hindi: “से सटा हुआ / पर टिके हुए”
1. The child rested his head upon his mother’s shoulder.
👉बच्चे ने अपना सिर अपनी माँ के कंधेपर टिकाया।
Explanation:
✅ Upon is used because
it shows gentle physical contact (टिकना / सहारा लेना)
- ❌ “On” would sound normal
but less expressive - ❌ “Onto” is wrong because
there is no movement
2. She placed her hand upon his arm for support.
👉उसने सहारे के लिए अपना हाथ उसके बाजूपर रखा।
Explanation:
✅ Upon emphasizes intentional and soft contact
- ❌ “On” is possible but less formal
- ❌ “Onto” implies movement (which is not the focus here)
3. The old man leaned upon his walking stick.
👉बूढ़ा आदमी अपनी छड़ीपर झुका हुआ था।
Explanation:
✅ Upon shows support + continuous contact
- ❌ “On” is less expressive
- ❌ “Onto” is incorrect (no action of moving)
4. Tears fell upon her hands.
👉आँसू उसके हाथों पर गिरे।
Explanation:
✅ Upon is used in a descriptive or literary sense (भावनात्मक/कहानी शैली)
- ❌ “On” is correct but plain
- ❌ “Onto” focuses on movement direction, not the result
5. The blanket lay upon the bed.
👉कंबल बिस्तरपर फैला हुआ था।
Explanation:
✅ Upon emphasizes position
+ contact (ठहरा हुआ)
- ❌ “On” is common but less
formal - ❌ “Onto” is wrong because
there is no movement involved
