on returning

USAGE SUMMARY

"on returning" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe an action that takes place after someone has returned from a previous activity. Example: On returning from his business trip, John was pleasantly surprised to find a bouquet of flowers waiting for him at home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was planning on returning," she said.

The New York Times

On returning, I was summarily fired.

The New York Times

They plan on returning.

The Guardian

He insisted on returning to his plow.

The New York Times

On returning the next day he found the book unopened.

The Economist

It focused on returning Foundem's paid advertising rates to normal.

The New York Times

He has kept on returning to that idea.

Independent

Instead, Jones, bent on returning, rehabilitated the knee.

The New York Times - Sports

Or that, continually flooding my psyche, it keeps on returning.

The New York Times

But plan on returning after class to finish the experiments.

Cornell University

Time goes on and on returning on itself.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on returning" to clearly indicate that an action occurs immediately after someone's return. This structure can enhance the flow of your writing by establishing a clear sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "on returning" when a more specific preposition or conjunction is needed to clarify the relationship between actions. Overusing this phrase can make complex sentences sound awkward. For example, it's better to use "After he returned" or "When he returned" if you need to emphasize the timing or condition more precisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on returning" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when an action takes place. It introduces a temporal clause, specifying that the action described by the main verb occurs after the subject's return. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on returning" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates an action occurring after someone's return. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase found in various contexts, including news, scientific, and academic writing. While "after returning" and "upon returning" serve as valid alternatives, "on returning" provides a concise and clear way to establish a sequence of events, enhancing the flow of your narrative. Be mindful of its formality and use it judiciously to maintain clarity in complex sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon returning

Changes the preposition from "on" to "upon", creating a slightly more formal tone, but maintaining the same meaning.

after returning

Replaces the preposition "on" with "after", directly indicating the temporal sequence, emphasizing the completion of the return before the subsequent action.

when returning

Uses "when" to introduce a clause, which can be used to describe a condition or circumstance concurrent with the act of returning.

having returned

Uses the perfect participle to emphasize the completion of the action of returning before the subsequent action.

following the return

Emphasizes the return as a preceding event, creating a more formal tone.

after the return

Similar to "following the return", but slightly less formal.

subsequent to returning

Introduces a more formal and somewhat archaic tone, highlighting the sequence of events.

with the return

Implies that something happens together or in conjunction with the return.

once back

Uses a more concise and informal structure, emphasizing the state of being back.

back from

Implies a more direct and colloquial way to express the action subsequent from a return

FAQs

How can I use "on returning" in a sentence?

Use "on returning" to indicate an action that occurs immediately after someone comes back. For example, "On returning home, he found a letter waiting for him."

What are some alternatives to "on returning"?

Alternatives include "after returning", "upon returning", or "when returning", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "on returning" or "after returning"?

"On returning" and "after returning" are both acceptable in formal writing, but "on returning" often implies a more immediate sequence of events. "Upon returning" is generally considered more formal than both.

Can "on returning" be used at the end of a sentence?

While grammatically possible, it's less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to restructure the sentence to place "on returning" at the beginning, creating a clearer cause-and-effect relationship.