upon

The preposition 'upon' indicates position on or above a surface, immediate temporal succession ('immediately after'), basis or foundation for action, formal or literary emphasis, dependence or reliance, and occurrence or discovery in formal contexts.

• 🇫🇷La préposition 'upon' indique une position sur ou au-dessus d'une surface, une succession temporelle immédiate ('juste après'), une base ou un fondement pour une action, un renforcement formel ou littéraire, une dépendance ou un appui, ainsi qu'une occurrence ou une découverte dans un contexte formel.

1. Position on or above a surface B1 formal

   Indicates physical location on top of or in contact with the upper surface of an object, often with formal or literary tone

   • The book lay upon the table
   • She placed the crown upon his head
   • The castle stands upon a hill

   🇫🇷Sur (position au-dessus ou en contact avec une surface)

2. Immediate temporal succession B2 formal

   Indicates that an action occurs immediately after or at the moment of another event

   • Upon arriving, she called home
   • Upon hearing the news, he resigned
   • The decision was made upon reflection

   🇫🇷immédiatement après

3. Basis, foundation, or ground for action B2 formal legal

   Indicates the reason, evidence, or authority on which an action, decision, or belief is based

   • The verdict was based upon the evidence
   • She acted upon good advice
   • The theory rests upon several assumptions

   🇫🇷sur la base de

4. Dependence or reliance B2 formal business

   Expresses that something depends on, relies on, or is contingent upon a particular condition or factor

   • Success depends upon hard work
   • The project hinges upon funding
   • His decision rests upon your approval

   🇫🇷Dépendance ou recours

5. Formal/literary emphasis or occurrence C1 formal art

   Used in formal or literary contexts to add emphasis, dignity, or stylistic weight to a statement, often indicating sudden occurrence or discovery

   • Once upon a time, there lived a king
   • Upon further investigation, the truth emerged
   • He stumbled upon a rare manuscript

   🇫🇷Sur le point de / à l'instant où (emploi littéraire ou solennel)

6. Attack, assault, or sudden action B2 formal art

   Indicates a sudden or forceful action directed at someone or something, often in military, literary, or dramatic contexts

   • The army fell upon the enemy
   • Doubts began to creep upon him
   • Silence fell upon the crowd

   🇫🇷Sur (sens d'attaque ou d'action soudaine)