Grammar help - "on" and "upon."

1. 81

   Easy Exerciseposted 9 years ago

   Grammar help - "on" and "upon."
   
   I want to say this sentence with proper grammar - can you please guide me?
   "I don't judge people based upon race, creed, color or gender. I judge them based upon spelling, grammar, sentence structure and punctuation."
   What proposition should I use and when? "on" or "upon".
   
   

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2. 88

   Jodahposted 9 years ago

   Hi Kelly, I would use "on" in both instances but that's just because I think it sounds better. I am not really an expert. There are other hubbers here who can advise you correctly.

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   1. 81

      Easy Exerciseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi John,
      I struggle with grammar and writing in general. I love to communicate, but the details of grammar and punctuation often stump me.
      Enjoyed your answer - simply and straight forward and deferring to the experts.
      Thank you!

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   2. 88

      Jodahposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Kelly, I feel a simple answer is sometimes the best. As writers we can tend to become too verbose at times for our own good. I too sometimes struggle with grammar.

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3. 60

   olmosleyposted 9 years ago

   There's no wrong answer. The use of either word is solely based on the style of writing.

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      Easy Exerciseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Olmosley,
      Thank you for contributing.
      Greatly appreciate it.

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4. 59

   Rakim Cheeksposted 9 years ago

   Hello. Kelly. Great question! I would use on. Simply, because it sounds better when you are starting a sentence. For example, you might say, On Sunday afternoons, I go to the park because I enjoy the atmosphere. Did that help?

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      olmosleyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      As opposed to saying 'Upon Saturday afternoons, I go to the park because I enjoy the atmosphere'?

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      Easy Exerciseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Rakim,
      Yes, thank you!

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      Rakim Cheeksposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Kelly. Would you follow me? I'm trying to build my audience on hub pages

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5. 86

   tsmogposted 9 years ago

   Hard question for a grammar dunce like myself said with a smile. I cannot provide an answer for your quest as I do not know the destination. My hope is that makes some kind of sense.
   
   The emphasis appears with the statement two goals are being sought to achieve. One is negating physical properties as a requirement of 'being' judged by the person judging while the modal property is emphasized as that which is judged. At question is emphasis for the usage of 'on' and 'upon'.
   
   They could be said are synonymous. They both have a degree of commonality. The criteria for judging has been proclaimed as being "spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation". Using that as a lead we may ask difference between 'on' and 'upon'. On means resting on a surface like a chair, a bed, and even resting while standing on the earthen ground. Upon is the formalized usage of 'on', even though offers 'arriving' somewhere at times. Simple enough.
   
   The first sentence of the statement addresses all persons of any commonality . . . people. The second statement address those being judged, which most likely is a segment of people - 'them'. That segment is not identified, so one may construe there is hidden or forbidden knowledge known only by the author of the question at hand. No matter as the second statement is of importance, therefore seeks a formal address.
   
   With that a recommendation writing the statement as "I don't judge people based on race, creed, color, or gender. (A generalized statement with commonality) I judge 'them' based 'upon' spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation." There is power rather than force. We may see that with the following;
   
   people → common → generalized → less formal = on
   them → specific audience → narrowed → formal = upon
   
   One must realize without knowing the context within the content this answer is addressing emphasis. That is pointing toward a direction, a destination, a point of arrival. However, the illusion of the illustration is a different thought exercise entirely. Reading a story beginning with "Once upon a time" one would 'expect' soon to be introduced to 'the' time increasing anticipation of explaining or describing 'Once' and its mystery within 'many'.

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   1. 81

      Easy Exerciseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Tim,
      Wowza! What a fantastic answer complete with a diagram to direct the author to be focused TO the reader.
      I especially like your "context within the content".
      Thank you very much!

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   Chris Antonarosposted 9 years ago

   I would use "on" for both cases. It sounds better and "upon" describes position more than state of mind or physical characteristics. Good luck writing!!!

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      Easy Exerciseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Christos,
      Thank you so much for sharing. And thank for the good luck - always need luck!

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7. 74

   BruceDPriceposted 9 years ago

   Upon is just "up on" that has contracted to one word. In most situations the  on conveys enough information so you don't need the up.That's why many people are saying they prefer on.
   
   "The King sits up on the throne" seems to give a bit of gratuitous information.

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      Easy Exerciseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Bruce,
      Great answer with a fun example. Thank you!

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8. 81

   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   i vote for the opposite" upon" , I am no expert in English but as far as I could remember; it should be "upon"

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      Easy Exerciseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Peachy,
      Thank you so much for sharing!
      And I love your moniker! Fun!

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9. 72

   girlpowerposted 9 years ago

   judge them based on" spellingi will enjoy following your hubs..

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      Easy Exerciseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi GirlPower,
      Thank you for sharing. You go girl!

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10. 94

    cat on a soapboxposted 9 years ago

    Either one would suffice since they are considered to be interchangeable.  I prefer "upon" in this case because I like the traditional ( formal) style; however, I think most people feel comfortable w/ the more casual usage of "on."

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    1. 81

       Easy Exerciseposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Catherine,
       It is interesting how we sometimes prefer more formality. I didn't see this question as one of formality until I read the answers. I can clearly see how that one word could be more formal.
       I am with you on the traditional.

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