Correct Grammar - Reflections Upon or Reflection On

1. 83

   GmaGoldieposted 14 years ago

   I want to entitle my next Hub "Reflections on 250 Hubs" but I am worried about my grammar - should it be Reflections "Upon" or "On"?
   
   Please help.
   
   Thank you!

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   1. 69

      2uesdayposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I think I would use 'on' in this case as it is the word more likely to be typed into Google.
      
      I think 'upon' is the archaic word for on, therefore it is more suitable for use in fairy stories.

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2. 60

   pilesnowayposted 14 years ago

   Just the same...
   But "On" is good to read and hear...

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   1. 59

      couturepopcafeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      There's not much in the way of definition for the word upon except that it means on.

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3. 67

   Daniel Carterposted 14 years ago

   So we could say "Once on a time" and it's the same as "Once upon a time"?
   Just wondering.

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   1. 55

      Dame Scribeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      pardon my intrusion but ..well..this is funny, lol

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4. 77

   Shadesbreathposted 14 years ago

   It's a matter of style.  To "reflect upon something" has a different mood and feel to how it reads than does "reflect on" something. One is fluid, more artsy or decorous, where the other is concise and utilitarian.
   
   I would say no, you couldn't. "Once upon a time" is nearly archaic, cliché (albeit still beloved), and it is a figure of speech that survives by its use and familiarity. In modern parlance, saying "Once on a time" would stand out as odd and even nonsensical, which you probably know but I don't want your humor to confuse the OP.
   
   A large part of what grammar really is, is taking a moment to listen to what we have said and deciding if it makes sense. Grammar is subordinate to communication (despite what angry little grammar Nazis would have you believe).

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   1. 67

      Daniel Carterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Terrific explanation.
      

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5. 61

   ediggityposted 14 years ago

   You could say, Reflecting Upon/On 250 Hubs.  I think the tense of "reflection" should be your main concern depending on how you spin the hub.

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6. 76

   Aficionadaposted 14 years ago

   Ditto to all of the above - primarily to the fact that an important part of meaning is conveyed in the music or flow of the expression.
   
   But add to that thought one additional bit:  we can also speak of a reflection on a glassy-smooth pond or on a mirror.  In speaking your two options to myself, I find that both of them could have an odd ring, although they don't do that automatically.
   
   One work-around would be a completely different wording, for example:
   
   250 Hubs - a Reflection
   
   Looking Back on 250 Hubs
   
   Looking Back on My First 250 Hubs
   
   Reflecting on 250 Hubs
   
   Reflecting Back on 250 Hubs

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7. 85

   Pcunixposted 14 years ago

   That will be your 251st hub, we hope.  It would seem to include some self reflection if it is not?

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8. 85

   Pcunixposted 14 years ago

   Closely related to this subject, I would like to recommend "The Unfolding of Language" by Guy Deutscher.  I'll quote from a review I wrote elsewhere:
   
   [the author] not only has knowledge of words and language, but deploys sentences that make you grin for joy while imparting complex and quite captivating information. This book is a joy to read, not just for its content (which is very interesting and informative), but for the way he spins his tales.
   
   He advances a theory of language that makes perfect sense. As he led me along to his conclusions, I found myself nodding and mentally agreeing "Yes, yes, I see that!" If you care about words, if in your own writing you often pause to search for the word with exactly the right nuance for the thought you wish to convey, you'll love this book. If words and language themselves fascinate you, if you love a good scientific detective story, you'll love it even more.

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9. 83

   GmaGoldieposted 14 years ago

   This is simply too much fun!  One word - wow!  We are writers! 
   
   Oh, and Pcunix - now I have a book to read to!
   
   Way cool - thank you!

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   1. 85

      Pcunixposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Let me know what you think. I have read it three times now. I have also had to buy it three times because I lend it out and it goes missing!

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10. 61

    Right On Timeposted 14 years ago

    Reflections on
    
    Why?
    
    Edit by instinct - reflections upon is syllable laden and wordy.

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