return of correspondence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "return of correspondence" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, it is used to mean the same as "reply" or "respond," usually in the context of a formal letter. For example, "The company is awaiting the return of correspondence from the customer to proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The agreement also required Mr. Marcoux to return all copies of correspondence from Archbishop Weakland.

The New York Times

When I.R.S. clerks receive tax returns or pieces of correspondence that make what the clerks suspect are frivolous arguments — anything that cites sections of the tax code or court cases or mentions Philander Knox is generally considered suspect — they forward them to the Frivolous Return Program's offices in Ogden, Utah.

The New York Times - Magazine

In contrast to the approach to correspondence discussed in section 3.1, which offered correspondence with minimal ontological implications, this view returns to the ontological basis of correspondence that was characteristic of the neo-classical theory.

SEP

In January 2006, after months of correspondence, I returned to an extremely cold Pyongyang with my brother Eugenio, an artist, a professor at the Fine Arts Academy in Florence, and at the time, director of an exhibition center near Florence.

Vice

In January 2006, after months of correspondence, I returned to an extremely cold Pyongyang with my brother Eugenio, an artist, a professor at the Fine Arts Academy in Florence, and at the time Director of an exhibition center near Florence.

Vice

Recall that the turning function returns the correspondence of points between the two cages that has the minimum turning distance.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Office management problems included communication problems with inconsistent handling of correspondence and procedures for dealing with abnormal investigation results, returning patient telephone calls, scheduling of appointments including provision for urgent consultations.

BMC Medical Education

Please return all correspondence over my signature A.S.A.P., plus the photos of me in Superman costume.

The New Yorker

Most of correspondence is eccentric.

The New Yorker

Much of the file consists of correspondence.

The New York Times

And the gallery of correspondence has disappeared.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "return of correspondence", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean responding to communication or physically returning it. For clarity, specify "reply to correspondence" for responses and "physical return of correspondence" for physical returns.

Common error

Avoid using "return of correspondence" when the context could be confused with either responding to the communication or physically returning the documents. Use more precise phrasing to eliminate potential misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "return of correspondence" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It refers to the act of responding to or the act of physically sending back written communication. Ludwig provides a grammatical validation, but the lack of examples suggests less common usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "return of correspondence" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that refers to either replying to or physically returning written communication. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, the lack of real-world examples suggests that it is not frequently used. To avoid ambiguity, it is recommended to use more specific phrasing such as "reply to correspondence" or ""return of documents"". When in doubt, clarity is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reply to the correspondence

Focuses specifically on providing a written response.

respond to the letters

Similar to replying, but emphasizes the act of addressing letters.

answer the communication

Highlights the act of answering a received message.

send back the mail

Implies physically returning mailed items.

retrieve the correspondence

Focuses on regaining possession of written communication.

forward the correspondence

Suggests sending the communication to a third party.

acknowledgment of receipt of correspondence

Formal way of indicating that the correspondence has been received.

receipt of the correspondence

Simply confirms that the letters/documents have been received.

reverse the flow of correspondence

Indicates a change in the direction of communication.

correspondence feedback loop

Highlights the continuous exchange of information through written communication.

FAQs

How can I use "return of correspondence" in a sentence?

While "return of correspondence" is grammatically correct, it's often clearer to specify whether you mean a reply or the physical return of documents. For instance, use "awaiting a reply to the correspondence" or "requesting the physical "return of documents"".

What's a good alternative to "return of correspondence"?

Alternatives depend on the context. If you mean a reply, use "reply to the correspondence" or "respond to the letter". If you mean physically sending something back, use ""return of documents"".

Is it better to say "return of correspondence" or "reply to correspondence"?

"Reply to correspondence" is generally clearer because "return of correspondence" can be ambiguous. The word "reply" clearly signifies a response, while "return" could refer to physically sending something back.

What's the difference between "return of correspondence" and "receipt of correspondence"?

"Return of correspondence" implies either a reply or the physical return of documents, whereas "receipt of correspondence" simply confirms that the correspondence was received.