～上で
after / upon doing
～上で follows the た-form of a verb (or Noun + の) and means “after doing X”. The nuance is that X is a deliberate, necessary step, and what follows is decided or done on the basis of it.
Unlike ～てから, which simply puts two events in time order, ～上で signals that the first action is preparation the second one depends on. It sounds careful and somewhat formal.
1. Verb た-form + 上で
The first clause is an action such as thinking, consulting, or checking. The second clause is the step taken once that groundwork is done.
よく考えた上で決める。
“I'll decide after thinking it over carefully.”
- よく = carefully, well
- 考えた上で（かんがえたうえで）= after thinking it over
- 決める（きめる）= to decide
両親と相談した上で、留学を決めました。
“I decided to study abroad after consulting with my parents.”
- 両親（りょうしん）= parents
- と = with
- 相談した上で（そうだんしたうえで）= after consulting
- 留学（りゅうがく）= studying abroad
- を = object marker
- 決めました（きめました）= decided
2. Noun + の上で
With a noun describing an action, ～の上で works the same way. This version is common in formal instructions and business writing.
内容をご確認の上、サインしてください。
“Please sign after checking the contents.”
- 内容（ないよう）= contents
- を = object marker
- ご確認の上（ごかくにんのうえ）= after checking (polite)
- サインしてください = please sign
How to form it
Verb た-form + 上で / Noun + の + 上で
- 考える（かんがえる）= to think → 考えた上で（かんがえたうえで）= after thinking it over
- 相談する（そうだんする）= to consult → 相談した上で（そうだんしたうえで）= after consulting
- 確認（かくにん）= confirmation → 確認の上で（かくにんのうえで）= after confirming
Key idea
～上で means “first do X properly, and then take the next step”. The first action is not just earlier in time, it is the foundation for what follows.
Other N2 grammar
Updated .