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Index O
- O
- oblique
- oblivious of
- oblivious to
- obvious
- occur
- occurred
- occurrence
- o’clock
- oct-
- octa-
- octo-
- octopus
- octopuses
- ocul-
- odont-
- odorant
- odoriferous
- odorous
- odour
- oeno-
- offence
- offense
- offensive
- official
- officious
- offline
- off-line
- off of
- of the order of
- Oh
- OK
- O.K.
- okay
- old
- old custom
- older
- old fashion
- old fashioned
- old-fashioned
- olig-
- oligo-
- ombro-
- ombudsman (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau)
- omni-
- ON
- on (1)
- on (2)
- on account of
- on behalf of
- onco-
- one
- one of those who
- on foot
- online
- on-line
- on numerous occasions
- onoma-
- onomato-
- Ont.
- Ontarian
- Ontario
- on the basis of
- on the diagonal
- on the one hand
- on the order of
- on the other hand
- on the part of
- on to
- onto
- onward
- onwards
- oo-
- opposite from
- opposite of
- opposite to
- opposition (in)
- opt-
- opthalm-
- opthalmo-
- opto-
- oral
- order
- ordinance
- ordnance
- ori-
- orient
- orientate
- original founder
- originate at
- originate from
- originate in
- originate with
- ornitho-
- oro-
- osseo-
- ossi-
- osteo-
- oto-
- Ottawa
- Ottawan
- out-
- outside of
- ov-
- over
- over all
- overall
- overlook (1)
- overlook (2)
- oversee
- oversight
- overused cliché
- ovi-
- ovo-
- owing to
- owing to the fact that
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upon, up on, on
Most authorities agree that the prepositions on and upon are generally interchangeable. The choice depends on rhythm, emphasis or convention; upon is slightly more formal or poetic.
- I heard your favourite author on the radio last week.
- Paula carefully placed the book on (or upon) the desk.
- When Jacques Cartier first set eyes upon (or on) the St. Lawrence River, he thought he had found the Northwest Passage.
- Gilles set one brick upon (or on) the other, until the makeshift tower tipped over and crashed.
- Many traditional stories begin, "Once upon a time …"
When referring to something in a high place or when using on after a phrasal verb ending in up (e.g., follow up), use the two-word spelling up on (not upon).
- Heather lives high up on Hamilton Mountain.
- Please follow up on the request from Saskatoon.
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