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Phrasal verbs "act on" vs "act upon"

Differences between act on and act upon

Act on and act upon are very similar in meaning and usage. Both phrasal verbs mean to take action based on information or a suggestion. However, act upon is considered more formal than act on.

Meanings and Definitions: act on vs act upon

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Act on

  • 1To take action because of something like information received.

    The police were ACTING ON a tip from an informer and caught the gang red handed.

  • 2Affect.

    The medicine only ACTS ON infected tissue.

Act upon

  • 1To take action because of something like information received.

    The police were ACTING UPON a tip off.

  • 2Affect.

    The enzyme ACTS UPON certain proteins.

Usage Examples: act on, act upon in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

act on

Example

The manager decided to act on the employee's suggestion.

Example

She acts on the advice of her mentor.

act upon

Example

The manager decided to act upon the employee's suggestion.

Example

She acts upon the advice of her mentor.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Act on

follow through

To complete an action or task that has been started or planned.

Example

He promised to follow through with his plan to start a new business.

take up

To begin or start doing something, especially a new activity or hobby.

Example

She decided to take up painting as a way to relax after work.

put into action

To implement or execute a plan or idea.

Example

After months of planning, they finally put their ideas into action and launched their new product.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Act upon

proceed with

To continue or move forward with a plan or action.

Example

After careful consideration, they decided to proceed with the merger.

respond to

To react or take action based on a request or situation.

Example

The company quickly responded to the customer's complaint and resolved the issue.

take into account

To consider or take into consideration when making a decision or taking action.

Example

Before making a final decision, they need to take into account all the possible outcomes.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “act”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

Phrasal Verbs with “upon”

Differences in act on vs act upon: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: act on or act upon?

Both act on and act upon are commonly used in both spoken and written English. However, act on is more frequently used in everyday conversation, while act upon is more commonly used in formal writing or speech.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of act on and act upon

Act upon is considered more formal than act on. It's often used in academic or professional contexts, such as research papers or legal documents. Act on, on the other hand, is more informal and can be used in casual conversations with friends and family.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of act on and act upon

Both act on and act upon have a neutral tone. They simply describe taking action based on information or suggestions. However, the tone can vary depending on the context in which they are used.

act on & act upon: Synonyms and Antonyms

Act on

Synonyms

Act upon

Synonyms

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