upon returning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'upon returning' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an action which happened or will happen after someone or something has returned from a previous place or event. For example: "I found that many things had changed upon returning to my hometown after such a long time away".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Upon returning from Capt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon returning, he goes to see Mme.

The New Yorker

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Dolphy played locally.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon returning, he signed with Boston.

The New York Times

Upon returning to Lagos, I began experimenting with sound.

The Guardian

Upon returning, General Clark sent letters highlighting his role.

The New York Times

Upon returning, he described Kabul as both quiet and tense.

The New York Times

Upon returning to the dugout, he imitated Wilson's symbol.

The New York Times

Upon returning to the ballroom, Gilroy offered a variant line.

The New Yorker

Upon returning near midnight, he found Cleveland eerily dark.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sadly, I found out, upon returning to the kitchen, that this feature was "coming soon".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon returning" to clearly indicate that an action occurs immediately after someone or something gets back to a place or situation. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and adds a touch of sophistication.

Common error

Avoid using "upon returning" if the action does not directly follow the return. If there's a significant time gap or other intervening events, a simple "after returning" or "later" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon returning" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the timing of an action relative to the act of returning. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon returning" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action occurs shortly after someone or something comes back. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and frequent use across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science and encyclopedias. While it adds a touch of formality, consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "upon returning" into your writing to clearly convey the sequence of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on returning

This is a more concise and slightly less formal version, omitting "upon".

after the return

This alternative replaces "upon returning" with a noun phrase, emphasizing the event of returning.

following the return

Similar to "after the return", this uses "following" to indicate the sequence of events.

subsequent to returning

This option uses more formal and sophisticated vocabulary.

after one's return

This utilizes a possessive pronoun to show ownership of the return.

when returning

This alternative uses a conjunction to introduce a clause, changing the structure slightly.

having returned

This uses a perfect participle to indicate completion of the return before the next action.

after coming back

This uses more common, simpler vocabulary to express the same idea.

once back

A very concise and informal way to express the idea.

returning, then

This inverts the structure slightly and adds emphasis to the sequence.

FAQs

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

Use "upon returning" to indicate that something happened immediately after someone or something came back. For example: "Upon returning home, I noticed the changes."

What is a synonym for "upon returning"?

Alternatives to "upon returning" include "after returning", "on returning", or "following the return". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and sentence structure.

Is it better to say "upon returning" or "after returning"?

"Upon returning" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the immediacy of the action following the return. "After returning" is more general and can imply a less immediate connection. Both are grammatically correct.

Can I use "upon returning" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "upon returning" might sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Consider using simpler alternatives like "when I got back" or "after I returned" in those contexts.