10 Interesting Differences Between Upon and Apon You Should Know

Last Updated on July 10, 2021

Differences Between Upon and Apon – Upon is a preposition that is frequently used in sentences to give direction or a relationship between two things. Apon is also a preposition in the English language. However, ‘apon’ is not used as frequently in modern-day conversations.

10 Interesting Differences Between Upon and Apon You Should Know

Upon

Upon is used as a preposition. It is used to show the relationship of the pronoun or noun with other words in a sentence. The preposition “upon” is used in many ways. ‘Upon’ is much more formal than ‘on’, but it can be used with the same meanings as the preposition ‘on’.

‘Upon’ originates as a complex preposition, probably modeled after a similar formation in Old Norse. Specifically, it’s a contraction of the directional adverb “up” and the preposition “on.” It’s a parallel formation to the Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian preposition på.

Examples:

  1. The bulldog jumped upon the bed.
  2. The lion sprang upon the deer.
  3. She was put into domestic service as a personal maid, to wait upon her mistress.
  4. My mother drew upon her mother’s knowledge of cooking to create a fabulous meal.
  5. The man was someone you could depend upon and was always willing to lend a helping hand.
  6. Once upon a time, I have had a wife.
  7. The president was escorted into a room upon arrival.
  8. The soldiers were upon the enemy within minutes.
  9. Great winds blow upon high hills.
  10. A good book is a best friend who never turns his back upon us.

Apon

“Apon” is a word or preposition, to be specific, which is not used anymore in Modern English. This preposition was commonly in use in the Middle English era. It was actually the way “upon” was spelled at that time.

With time, spellings were changed. People started adopting and adapting to the changes in the spellings. “Apon” was completely stopped being used and was or is now used sometimes in poetry. For example:

  • Full derly to hym that ye pray
  • To hym that was don apon a tre
  • To safe yowr sallis on dowymysday
  • Qwen all salles savyd mon be.”

In Middle English, many words with prefixes u- were spelled using the prefix “a”. Later the spellings were made standard, and the use of “a-” ceased.

Now in modern spellings, the word or preposition “apon” is spelled as “upon.” They are actually the same word, only the use has been in different eras.

Notable Differences Between Upon and Apon

  1. ‘Upon’ means ‘on’ and ‘up’.
  2. ‘Apon’ and ‘upon’ are the same word; both are prepositions that are used to show the relationship of the pronoun or noun in a sentence with other words.
  3. ‘Apon’ was used in Middle English while upon is used in Modern English.
  4. They are prepositions from different eras of the English language.

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