What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
onto
Example
He climbed onto the roof to fix the shingles. [onto: preposition]
Example
She placed the vase onto the table carefully. [onto: preposition]
Example
The company is moving onto a new phase of development. [onto: adverb]
upon
Example
Upon arriving at the airport, they realized their flight was delayed. [upon: preposition]
Example
Upon hearing the news, she burst into tears. [upon: preposition]
Example
Upon yonder hill, a castle stood tall. [upon: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Onto is more commonly used than upon in everyday language, especially in spoken English. Upon is more formal and often used in literature or poetry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between onto and upon?
Upon is generally considered more formal than onto. It is often used in formal writing or literature, while onto is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
