Meaning & use
upon returning
Last updated
UK/əˌpɒn rɪˈtɜːnɪŋ/
US/əˌpɑːn rɪˈtɝːnɪŋ/
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseformal
At the moment of coming back to a place after being away.
Grammar: Used at the start of a clause or after a comma; often followed by 'to' or 'from' a place.
Patterns
- upon returning to a place
- upon returning from a place
- upon returning home
Upon returning to the office, she checked her messages.
He was tired upon returning from his trip.
Upon returning home, they found the door open.
Common combinations
- upon returning to work
- Upon returning to work, she felt refreshed.
- upon returning from vacation
- Upon returning from vacation, he had a lot of emails.
- shortly upon returning
- Shortly upon returning, she called her family.
Synonyms and how they differ
- on returning
- Means the same but is slightly less formal and more common in British English.
- when returning
- Similar meaning, but 'when' can suggest a regular habit, while 'upon' suggests one specific moment.
Commonly confused: upon returning or on returning?
upon returning vs on returning
Very similar, but 'upon' is more formal and often used in written stories or announcements.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
'Upon returning home' is the correct phrase; 'home' is an adverb here and takes no preposition. 'To home' is wrong because 'home' already means 'to one's home'.
Make it your own
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