when we come back

USAGE SUMMARY

"when we come back" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a previous discussion or event and expressing the intention to resume it or the expectation that it will happen in the future. Example: "We'll discuss the plan in more detail when we come back after lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's when we come back".

The New York Times - Sports

It's important that when we come back, we're ready".

The New York Times - Sports

Nathaniel said, "When we come back, it will be September".

The New Yorker

Guard angry when we come back and tease us.

The Guardian

"When we come back next year, it will be gone".

The New Yorker

We're now into the international break and when we come back it's two more London derbies".

Independent

There was a different mind-set back there: we deal with it when we come back.

The New Yorker

"Hopefully we can deal with it when we come back in January".

The New York Times

When we come back the roads was so thick with sightseers from the cities.

The New Yorker

I hope there are answers when we come back in the fall".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

So, when we come back in, we still have the cake.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when we come back" to clearly indicate a point in time after a known absence or interruption. Ensure the context makes it clear what "back" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "when we come back" if the context doesn't establish a prior departure or interruption. Instead of saying "When we come back, we will start the meeting", which implies that the speakers went somewhere before, say "When we start the meeting, we will..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we come back" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a main clause by indicating when an action or event will occur. Ludwig examples show it setting the temporal context for future actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when we come back" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a future time after a return. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media but is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from formal announcements to casual conversations. While many similar phrases exist, such as "upon our return" or "when we get back", "when we come back" offers a balanced level of formality suitable for diverse writing and speaking scenarios. Pay attention to the context to ensure clarity about what "back" refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when we return

Slightly more concise and direct.

when we get back

More casual and focuses on arrival.

when we are back again

Adds emphasis to the return and can imply recurrence.

upon our return

Formal alternative, emphasizes the act of returning.

once we've returned

Highlights the completion of the return action.

on our return

Similar to "upon our return" but slightly less formal.

after we are back

Emphasizes the state of being back.

following our return

Emphasizes the sequence of events.

after our comeback

Emphasizes a return to a previous state after difficulty.

subsequent to our return

Highly formal, suitable for official documents.

FAQs

How can I use "when we come back" in a sentence?

You can use "when we come back" to indicate a future event that will happen after a return from a trip, break, or other absence. For example, "When we come back from vacation, we'll be refreshed and ready to work.

What's a more formal way to say "when we come back"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using "upon our return" or "on our return". These options are suitable for professional or academic settings.

Is it correct to say "when we will come back"?

While understandable, "when we will come back" is less common and can sound slightly awkward. It's generally better to simply use "when we come back", as the "when" already implies a future time.

What's the difference between "when we come back" and "when we get back"?

"When we come back" and "when we get back" are largely interchangeable, but "when we get back" is slightly more casual. Both refer to a point in time after returning to a place or situation.