"when he came back" vs "when he is back"

Question

"when he came back" vs "when he is back"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'When he came back' is used to refer to a past event, while 'when he is back' is used to refer to a future event or a current state. They are not directly comparable as they convey different meanings.

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

This phrase is used to talk about an event that happened in the past, indicating the time when someone returned.

Examples:

I was waiting for him when he came back from his trip.
She realized her mistake when he came back to apologize.

Alternatives:

when he returned
when he got back

This phrase is used to talk about a future event or to indicate the current state of someone being back.

Examples:

Let's plan a party for when he is back from his business trip.
I will talk to him when he is back in the office.

Alternatives:

when he returns
when he gets back

Answer 1

when he came back

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a past event.

Answer 2

when he is back

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a future event or a current state.

"when he came back" vs "when he is back"

when he came back

when he is back

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