From vs. Upon

Attribute	From	Upon
Definition	Starting point or origin	On the basis of
Preposition	Indicates a starting point or origin	Indicates a basis or foundation
Usage	Used to indicate where something originates or begins	Used to indicate a basis for something
Direction	Indicates movement away or out of	Indicates movement onto or on top of

Definition

From and upon are both prepositions in the English language that are used to indicate a starting point or origin. From is typically used to show the point of origin or the place where something begins, while upon is used to indicate a more specific point of contact or a higher position. For example, you might say "I am from New York" to indicate where you were born, and "The book is upon the table" to show the location of the book.

Usage

From is a more versatile preposition and can be used in a variety of contexts. It can indicate physical location, time, source, cause, and more. On the other hand, upon is more formal and is often used in more literary or poetic contexts. It is also commonly used in legal or official documents. For example, you might say "I received a letter from my friend" to show the source of the letter, and "Upon further investigation, we found the culprit" to indicate a specific point in time.

Physical vs. Abstract

From is often used to indicate physical movement or location. It is used to show where something or someone is coming from or where they are located. For example, you might say "I am from Canada" to show your country of origin. Upon, on the other hand, is more commonly used in abstract or metaphorical contexts. It is often used to indicate a specific point in time or a figurative position. For example, you might say "Upon reflection, I realized my mistake" to show a moment of introspection.

Direction vs. Position

From is typically used to show direction or movement away from a starting point. It indicates the point of departure or the source of something. For example, you might say "I am walking from the park to the store" to show your movement. Upon, on the other hand, is used to indicate a position or location. It shows where something is situated or placed. For example, you might say "The vase is upon the shelf" to show the location of the vase.

Temporal vs. Spatial

From is often used to indicate a point in time or a duration. It can show when something started or how long it lasted. For example, you might say "I worked from 9 am to 5 pm" to show the duration of your workday. Upon, on the other hand, is more commonly used to indicate a specific moment in time or a sequence of events. For example, you might say "Upon his arrival, the party began" to show the start of the party.

Conclusion

In conclusion, from and upon are both important prepositions in the English language that are used to indicate origin, location, time, and more. From is more versatile and commonly used in everyday language, while upon is more formal and often used in literary or legal contexts. Understanding the differences between these two prepositions can help you use them correctly in your writing and communication.