when he is back

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'when he is back' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is away or absent, and you want to talk about the time when they will return. For example: "I'm looking forward to seeing him again when he is back from his trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He intends to write a book about the topic when he is back at Princeton.

The Economist

"He had to stop no matter what and he'll be like a bull when he is back".

Independent

Defensively, Jones still reads the ball as well as any center fielder, especially when he is back in Turner Field.

The New York Times - Sports

When he is back here he will start to train and after I will take the decision".

The Guardian - Sport

President Bush never seems happier or more relaxed than when he is back here at his ranch.

The New York Times

Time to start planning winter chores with Howard when he is back (today, I think), but what winter work are you all doing?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Maybe this black man has a screen to show him what is behind the car when he is backing up.

The New Yorker

He moves a lot but he can't fight when he is backing up.

Huffington Post

"We attacked again when he was back in the pack".

The New York Times - Sports

"When he's back, I'll check in on him.

The New York Times - Sports

"I should have done something," he told me when he was back in safe, banal London.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, ensure the context makes it clear who 'he' refers to. Providing context upfront prevents confusion for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "when he is back" without clearly establishing who 'he' refers to. Ambiguous pronouns can confuse readers and diminish the clarity of your writing. For example, instead of saying, "The situation will improve when he is back", specify: "The situation will improve when John is back."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when he is back" functions as an adverbial clause of time. It modifies the main clause by specifying when the action in the main clause will occur. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when he is back" functions as an adverbial clause of time, commonly used to set a temporal condition for future events. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. Its neutral register makes it versatile, though clarity in pronoun reference is essential. Alternatives such as "upon his return" offer more formal options, while "when he gets back" is more casual. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively employ "when he is back" to convey precise temporal relationships in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when he gets back

More casual phrasing for the return.

once he returns

Highlights the condition of his return being met.

when he has returned

Implies completion of the action.

after his return

Indicates a period following his comeback.

on his return

Slightly more formal way to express his comeback.

upon his return

Formal alternative emphasizing the moment of arrival.

following his comeback

Focus on the period after he comes back.

at the time of his return

Focuses on the specific moment of returning.

upon his regaining

Emphasis on restoring something, such as health or status.

subsequent to his return

Highly formal alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "when he is back" in a sentence?

Use "when he is back" to refer to a future event that will happen after someone returns. For example, "Let's schedule a meeting "when he is back" from vacation."

What phrases are similar to "when he is back"?

Similar phrases include "upon his return", "after his return", and "once he returns", all indicating a time after someone's return.

Is it grammatically correct to say "when he is back"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to refer to a time or event following someone's return from being away.

What's the difference between "when he is back" and "when he gets back"?

"When he is back" and "when he gets back" are very similar. "When he gets back" is slightly more informal, while ""when he is back"" is neutral and fits most contexts.