after they return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after they return" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a time frame or condition that occurs following someone's return. Example: "We will discuss the project details after they return from their trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The wife usually falls asleep right after they return.

The New Yorker

Recipients are expected to continue language study after they return from Asia.

Yale University

Finally, Ms. de Moustier wants to show their lives after they return home.

The New York Times

This is how to make customers come back even after they return purchases.

The New York Times

Leave-takers may have a tough time getting assignments again after they return.

Harvard Business Review

In the week after they return, I visit Billy-Jo and the children.

The Guardian

She gives birth just two weeks after they return to base camp from their journey across the ice.

The New Yorker

Restaurateurs have also realized they must be more sensitive to the trauma of employees after they return to work.

The New York Times - Food

Turley says it makes a real difference to pupils' self esteem, literacy and empathy, even after they return to school.

The Guardian

The plans would also make it easier for patients to receive medication prescribed abroad after they return home.

The Guardian

But for many children, new separations are in store even after they return to the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing; while "after they return" is generally acceptable, "upon their return" might be more suitable for formal documents.

Common error

Avoid separating "after" too far from "they return". Long or complex clauses between them can confuse the reader. Keep the phrase close together for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after they return" functions as a subordinate conjunction introducing a dependent clause that specifies a time frame or condition. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, indicating actions or states that occur subsequent to the subjects' return.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after they return" is a grammatically sound and frequently used temporal marker, as verified by Ludwig. It's most commonly found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility. While generally neutral in register, considering more formal alternatives like "upon their return" may enhance precision in certain contexts. The provided examples through Ludwig highlight its broad applicability and clarify its role in establishing temporal relationships within sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon their return

Formal alternative using "upon" to denote immediacy after the return.

following their return

Indicates a sequence of events after the act of returning.

once they are back

Casual alternative emphasizing the condition of being back.

when they get back

Simple and direct alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

subsequent to their return

Highly formal, emphasizing the temporal sequence.

post-return

Concise, often used in technical or business contexts.

after their arrival back

Specifies the arrival aspect of returning.

in the aftermath of their return

Focuses on the period immediately following the return, often implying consequences.

on their comeback

Emphasizes a return to a previous state or activity.

returning

A concise participle form to express a similar time frame.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "after they return"?

Alternatives include "upon their return", "following their return", or "when they get back", depending on the desired formality and context.

Is "after they return back" redundant?

Yes, using "back" with "return" is often redundant. "Return" already implies going back, so just use "after they return" for conciseness.

How to use "after they return" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe actions or events that happen following someone's return. For example: "We will review the data "after they return" from the conference."

What's the difference between "after they return" and "before they leave"?

"After they return" refers to a point in time following their comeback, while "before they leave" refers to a point in time prior to their departure. They are opposite in temporal direction.