Word
whereupon
Phoneticswhere·upon
US/ˈhwɛɹəˈpɑn/
UK/wˈeəɹəpˌɒn/
Definition
conj. immediately after which something else happens. You use this to connect two parts of a sentence when one action causes or leads directly to the next.
conj. immediately following which; used to introduce a clause describing a consequence or a subsequent action. Functions as a relative adverb or subordinating conjunction in formal narrative contexts.
Examples
“He finished his speech, whereupon the audience began to clap.”
“The witness finished her testimony, whereupon the judge called for a brief recess before the cross-examination began.”
“The CEO announced the unexpected merger to the board, whereupon several members immediately resigned in protest of the new corporate direction.”
Examples
simple
“He finished his speech, whereupon the audience began to clap.”
contextual
“The witness finished her testimony, whereupon the judge called for a brief recess before the cross-examination began.”
complex
“The CEO announced the unexpected merger to the board, whereupon several members immediately resigned in protest of the new corporate direction.”
Usage
Used to join two clauses where the second event follows the first in time or as a result. Primarily found in formal writing or legal documents.
Real-World Examples
“On the eighth day, the beans will sprout, whereupon you must persuade a little girl to pick and shell them.” Etymology
From Middle English wherupon; equivalent to where- + upon.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/whereupon