on his return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on his return" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something happened after someone returned from a journey or trip. For example: When he returned from his trip to Japan, he was surprised to find that his house had been renovated on his return.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He died on his return.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On his return the monsoon ended operations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On his return, he was restless.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On his return he settled in Colchester.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On his return, I confronted him.

The New York Times

On his return he read the report.

The Guardian

How did he feel on his return to old pastures?

Independent

On his return he helped to enforce Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On his return he plunged into a multitude of vexations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On his return he became ineluctably drawn into politics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On his return to England in 1722, he entered Parliament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on his return" to clearly indicate that an event occurred after someone came back from a specific journey or period away. It adds a sense of closure to the absence.

Common error

Avoid using "on his return" if the timing is not immediately after the return. If there's a significant delay or intervening events, a different phrase might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on his return" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the time or circumstance of an action. It specifies when something occurred, directly following the subject's return. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on his return" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that specifies the timing of an event in relation to someone's return. According to Ludwig, this phrase has a neutral register, is employed across various source types, and serves to establish chronological order. While alternatives like "upon his arrival" and "after he came back" exist, "on his return" provides a concise and effective way to convey the sequence of events. It is important to ensure that the timing is immediate and that there is no significant delay for optimal use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon his arrival

This alternative uses 'arrival' instead of 'return', focusing on the act of reaching a destination.

as he returned

This is a simple and direct alternative, suitable for most contexts.

following his return

This alternative uses 'following' to indicate sequence, offering a slightly more formal tone.

after he came back

This alternative uses a more explicit and less formal phrasing, breaking down the action into smaller parts.

when he got back

This is a more informal and conversational way of expressing the same idea.

His arrival back

This focuses on the arrival event as the main subject.

subsequent to his return

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the temporal sequence of events.

after his homecoming

Using "homecoming" adds an emotional aspect, implying a return to a place of belonging.

on his reaching back

A more literal alternative, focusing on the action of physically returning.

with his restoration

Implies return of someone to former position, status, or health.

FAQs

How can I use "on his return" in a sentence?

You can use "on his return" to describe events that happened after someone's journey. For example, "On his return, he found his garden overgrown."

What are some alternatives to "on his return"?

Some alternatives include "upon his arrival", "after he came back", or "following his return", depending on the context.

Is "on his return" formal or informal?

"On his return" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. More informal options exist, such as "when he got back".

What is the difference between "on his return" and "after he returned"?

"On his return" implies a more immediate sequence of events than "after he returned", suggesting the event happened very soon after the return. It is also a more concise and elegant phrasing.