The Difference Between Upon and Apon mainly lies in the time period in which they were used, not in their meaning. “Upon” is the modern spelling used in today’s English to show position, contact, or timing in a sentence. On the other hand, “Apon” is an older, historical spelling that appeared in Middle English and is no longer used in modern writing, except occasionally in poetry or ancient manuscripts.
What Does “Upon” Mean?
“Upon” is a preposition in Modern English. It has several uses:
- To show position or place:
She placed the book upon the table. - To indicate something happening at a particular moment or condition:
The celebrations began upon his arrival. - To emphasize action immediately following something:
She stood up upon hearing her name. - To express oath or honor:
He swore upon his word.
It is sometimes chosen instead of “on” to create a formal, poetic, or elegant tone.
What Does “Apon” Mean?
“Apon” is simply the older spelling of the word “upon.” It was commonly used during the Middle English period, roughly from the 12th to 15th century. Over time, as English spelling became standardized, “apon” fell out of everyday use. Today, it survives occasionally in poetry or historical texts to give an old-fashioned or classical feel.
You might still encounter it in:
- Old poems
- Religious manuscripts
- Historical literature
For example, an old verse may read:
“He was bound apon the tree
To save all souls on judgement day.”
During the Middle English period, many words that originally began with the prefix “u-” were written with an “a-” instead. Over time, English spelling was standardized, and the use of the “a-” prefix disappeared. Today, the preposition once spelled as “apon” is written as “upon.” Essentially, both forms represent the same word, with the difference being the historical period in which they were used.
Key Difference Between Upon and Apon
| Feature | Upon | Apon |
| Usage | Used in modern English | Used in Middle English |
| Meaning | Shows relation, timing, position | Same meaning as upon |
| Current Relevance | Commonly used today | Rare and outdated |
| Occurrence | Writing, speech, literature | Old texts and poems |
Easy Way to Remember
- Upon = Modern English
- Apon = Old English spelling
Conclusion
In summary, the Difference Between Upon and Apon is primarily historical. “Upon” is the correct and standard form in Modern English for expressing position, timing, or emphasis. Meanwhile, “apon” is an archaic spelling that belonged to Middle English and is no longer used today. If you are writing for modern readers, always choose “upon.”
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