Look upon sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use in English

What Does “Look upon sth” Mean?

“Look upon sth” means to regard or consider something in a particular way, often expressing an opinion or attitude towards it.

Introduction

The phrase “look upon sth” is a useful English phrasal verb that means to view or consider something from a specific perspective. When you “look upon” something, you form an opinion or attitude about it. This phrase is often used in both formal and informal contexts to describe how people perceive ideas, events, or objects. Understanding the “look upon sth meaning” helps learners express their feelings and judgments clearly in English. It is especially common in written English but also appears in spoken language when discussing opinions or beliefs.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: look upon sth → look upon something
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2 (Upper-intermediate)
• Short meaning: to regard or consider something in a particular way

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Look upon sth” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it always takes an object (something). It is inseparable, so you cannot put the object between “look” and “upon.”

• Correct: I look upon this event as a success.
• Incorrect: I look this event upon as a success.

The basic pattern is: subject + look(s)/looked + upon + object.

How to Use “Look upon sth”?

You use “look upon sth” to express how you view or consider a situation, person, or thing. It often implies a thoughtful or evaluative attitude. For example, you might say, “She looks upon failure as a learning opportunity,” meaning she regards failure positively. The phrase can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

Examples

Here are some natural sentences using “look upon sth” in context:

• Many people look upon hard work as the key to success.
• He looks upon his mistakes as valuable lessons.
• We should look upon this challenge as an opportunity to grow.
• Some cultures look upon aging differently than others.
• She looks upon her job as more than just a paycheck.

These examples show how “look upon sth in a sentence” helps express opinions or attitudes clearly.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners confuse the word order or try to separate the phrase incorrectly. Here are common errors and corrections:

• Incorrect: I look this problem upon as difficult.
  Correct: I look upon this problem as difficult.
• Incorrect: They look upon it like a burden.
  Correct: They look upon it as a burden.

Remember, “look upon” is inseparable, and it is normally followed by “as” when stating how something is regarded.

Differences / Synonyms

“Look upon sth” is similar to “regard,” “view,” or “consider.” However, “look upon” often carries a slightly more formal or thoughtful tone.

• Look upon – to regard thoughtfully or with a particular attitude.
• Regard – often interchangeable but can be more formal.
• View – can be more neutral or visual, but also means consider.
• Consider – usually means to think carefully about something.

For example, “He looks upon her as a mentor” is similar to “He regards her as a mentor,” but “look upon” sounds more reflective.

Common Collocations

Here are some common objects and phrases used with “look upon”:

• Look upon success – to see success in a certain way
• Look upon failure – to consider failure
• Look upon life – to have an attitude toward life
• Look upon a person – to regard someone
• Look upon an event – to consider an event

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of look upon sth:

• Look Sth Up
• Look Round You
• Look Out Over Sth
• Look Out For Sth
• Look Sb Over

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “look upon sth”:

Anna: How do you look upon the new company policy?

Ben: I look upon it as a positive change. It will help improve our workflow.

Anna: I agree. I think many employees will feel the same way.

Practice

Try to complete the sentence below using “look upon”:

She _______ her volunteer work as a way to give back to the community.

• a) looks upon
• b) looks at
• c) looks for

Answer: a) looks upon

FAQs

• Q: Is “look upon” formal or informal?
  A: It is slightly formal but can be used in everyday speech.
• Q: Can I say “look upon” without an object?
  A: No, “look upon” always needs an object.
• Q: What preposition follows “look upon”?
  A: Usually “as” when explaining how something is regarded.
• Q: Is “look upon” separable?
  A: No, it is inseparable.
• Q: Can “look upon” be used for people?
  A: Yes, it is common to look upon people in a certain way.