When it comes to English, every word you choose can change the meaning of a sentence. That’s why picking the right words is super important. Today, let’s talk about two words that might sound a bit similar but are actually quite different: “apon” and “upon.”
The correct word to use is upon. “Apon” is not recognized in standard English. Upon is used to indicate a higher position or a moment when something happens. For example, you might say, “The cat jumped upon the table,” meaning the cat jumped up to rest on the table.
Using upon properly adds clarity to your sentences, showing the relationship between actions or elements. For instance, in the phrase “Upon receiving the news, she immediately called her friend,” it’s clear that the action of calling happened right after receiving the news.
Understanding “Upon”
“Upon” is a preposition in English. It is used to show that something is on top of something else, or that something is happening at the same time as something else. For example, if you say, “She rested her hand upon his shoulder,” you mean that her hand is resting on his shoulder.
“Upon” can also indicate when something happens. Think about the phrase, “Upon hearing the news, she smiled.” Here, it means ‘as soon as she heard the news.’
Here are some more examples where “upon” is used:
– The cat jumped upon the table.
– Upon arriving home, I took off my shoes.
– He stumbled upon a hidden treasure.
What About “Apon”?
Now, let’s clear something up: “apon” is not a recognized word in standard English. It may appear as a typo or in texts where someone misspelled “upon.” It’s possible that you might see “apon” in very old texts or in some varieties of English dialects, but for most modern English usage, it’s simply incorrect.
Why the Confusion?
Sometimes, people hear words and try to write them down based on the sounds. English is full of words that don’t look like how they sound. That can lead to mistakes like writing “apon” instead of “upon.”
Also, in some accents, words might sound like they start with an ‘a’ when they don’t. So, when someone hears “upon” but it sounds like “apon,” they might think that’s the correct spelling.
How to Use “Upon” Correctly
Since we understand now that “upon” is the correct word, let’s talk about how to use it correctly. It shows relation or an action, giving a sense of one thing being on top of another or something occurring when another thing occurs. Here’s how you can use it:
1. To show relationship:
– The book was upon the table.
2. To indicate happening at the same time:
– Upon seeing her, he waved excitedly.
3. To describe something happening immediately after something else:
– Upon finishing his meal, he left the restaurant.
These examples show that “upon” can be quite versatile as a word.
A Little Help to Remember
Remembering the difference between a non-standard word and a correct word can be tricky, but think of it this appropriaty – you don’t use ‘bapple’ instead of ‘apple’, right? You stick with the familiar and correct word. It’s the same with “upon.”
Also, visualize it this way: imagine you have a box (maybe pretend it’s your favorite color). Now, put a toy upon it. The toy isn’t smashing through the box, right? It’s just resting on top. That’s what “upon” does in a sentence. It helps one part of the sentence rest on another.
Recap
So, “upon” is the word you should use when you’re talking about something that involves a relationship of proximity or succession. “Apon,” on the little hand, should be avoided because it’s not recognized as correct in most modern English contexts. If you catch yourself typing “apon,” just swap it for “upon.”
Have you ever noticed how often you use “upon” in writing or conversation? Next time you see it in a book or hear it in a movie, you’ll know exactly what it means and why it’s there. This can be your little nugget of knowledge to share with friends when you hear someone use “apon” by mistake. Isn’t it great how one little word can do so much?
