has not returned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has not returned' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to denote that someone has not yet come back from a journey, or to indicate that an object has not been returned to its original place. For example: My father has not returned from his business trip yet. I do not think my book has been returned to the library.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The vendor has not returned since.

The New York Times

The tendon problem has not returned.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Lopez has not returned his calls.

The New York Times

Canada left earlier and has not returned.

The New York Times

He says he has not returned since.

The New York Times

She has not returned to police work.

The New York Times

He has not returned to work.

The New York Times

Napoleon has not returned from Elba.

The Guardian - Opinion

She has not returned, he says.

The New York Times

The clan left and has not returned.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ms. Yellen has not returned telephone calls concerning that account.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has not returned", ensure the context clearly indicates what is expected to return and from where. For example, "The package has not returned to the sender after being rejected".

Common error

Avoid using "has not returned" when the simple past tense "did not return" is more appropriate. "Did not return" is used for completed actions in the past, while "has not returned" implies a present relevance or expectation of return.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "has not returned" is as a present perfect negative verb phrase. It indicates that an action of returning has not been completed up to the present moment. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has not returned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used present perfect negative construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the absence of someone or something up to the present time, often with an implied expectation of return. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its usage spans from formal business communications to general, informal discussions. When writing, ensure the tense aligns with your intended meaning, differentiating it from the simple past "did not return". Alternatives such as "has not come back" can provide variety while maintaining semantic accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has not come back

Simple substitution of "returned" with "come back" maintaining the same meaning.

has yet to return

Highlights the expectation of a future return that has not yet happened.

has not reappeared

Implies a previous appearance that has not been repeated.

did not make a return

A more emphatic way of saying something or someone didn't return.

has not been restored

Focuses on the state of being unrestored, rather than the act of returning.

failed to reappear

Highlights the failure to appear again after a previous appearance.

has not reverted

Suggests a failure to return to a previous condition or state.

has not revisited

Specifically refers to not visiting a place or topic again.

remains absent

Emphasizes the continued absence of something or someone.

is still gone

A more informal way of expressing the absence of something.

FAQs

What does "has not returned" mean?

The phrase "has not returned" means that something or someone has not come back to a place or state. It implies an absence and often an expectation of a return.

How to use "has not returned" in a sentence?

You can use "has not returned" to indicate someone or something is still missing. For example, "My email "has not returned" an email on the subject yet".

What's the difference between "has not returned" and "did not return"?

"Has not returned" implies the action of returning is incomplete or ongoing with current relevance. "Did not return" indicates a completed action in the past with no implication of present relevance.

What can I say instead of "has not returned"?

You can use alternatives like "has not come back", "remains absent", or "has not reappeared" depending on the context.