On, Upon
324. The general meaning of on is position or direction. _On_ and
_upon_ are interchangeable in almost all of their applications, as
shown by the sentences below:--
(1) _Place_: (_a_) Where.
Cannon were heard close _on_ the left.--PARKMAN.
The Earl of Huntley ranged his host
_Upon_ their native strand.--MRS. SIGOURNEY.
(_b_) With motion.
It was the battery at Samos firing _on_ the boats.--PARKMAN.
Thou didst look down _upon_ the naked earth.--BRYANT.
(2) _Time._
The demonstration of joy or sorrow _on_ reading their letters.
--BANCROFT.
_On_ Monday evening he sent forward the Indians.--PARKMAN.
Upon is seldom used to express time.
(3) _Reference_, equal to _about_, _concerning_, etc.
I think that one abstains from writing _on_ the immortality of
the soul.--EMERSON.
He pronounced a very flattering opinion _upon_ my brother's
promise of excellence.--DE QUINCEY.
(4) _In adjurations._
_On_ my life, you are eighteen, and not a day more.--ALDRICH.
_Upon_ my reputation and credit.--SHAKESPEARE
(5) _Idiomatic phrases_: _on fire_, _on board_, _on high_, _on the
wing_, _on the alert_, _on a sudden_, _on view_, _on trial_, etc.
Exercise.--
Find sentences with three uses of _on_ or _upon_.
0 comments:
Post a Comment