In this lesson, you will learn the difference between 'on' and 'upon' in English.

This is a request from Fazil Peerally, so this is especially for you Fazil, and I hope this makes it clearer.

So, two prepositions that confuse non-native speakers are 'on' and 'upon' as both mean the same thing.

In this lesson, you will learn the subtle differences between 'on' and 'upon' and when they're used.

So, in general, as we said, 'on' and 'upon' are prepositions that mean the same thing and can often be interchanged.

However, 'upon' is more formal.

So, you can say: 'He depends "on" his mother for support at home.'

Or: 'He depends "upon" his mother for support at home.'

So, these sentences mean the same thing, but the one using 'upon' is more formal.

Most teachers would advise students to use 'upon' sparingly - that means 'not much', and usually just for literary effect.

In other words, does it improve the sentence or message, or does it just make it too formal and inappropriate?

However, there are some occasions when only 'upon' will work.

So, 'upon' is used to emphasize that there is a large number or amount of something.

So, you would say, 'mile upon mile of dusty roads.'

Or, 'thousands upon thousands of letters.'

Or, 'row upon row of seats.'

And lastly, in some common idioms.

So, you have, 'Once upon a time...'

This is how bedtime stories for children begin, to mean a long time ago, and only 'upon' is used in this sentence.

Or, 'The summer season was almost upon them again.'

If something in the future is almost 'upon you', it is going to arrive or happen very soon.

So, that's it for now.

I hope you now feel more confident in using 'on' and 'upon' in English.

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So that's it, take care, and see you very soon.

Bye- bye!