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Is it correct to say "I will call you once I get back"?

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closed as not constructive by JSBձոգչ, Daniel δ, Matt Эллен, jwpat7, kiamlaluno Mar 14 '12 at 16:31

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2 Answers

up vote 0 down vote

Yes.

However, in doing so, be warned that you are also

a.) promising to return, soon;

b.) promising to call as soon as you return. (where as soon as you return means within 1/10th of the time you have been gone, dating from this message).

Promises are legally actionable in many Anglophone jurisdictions.

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Are you sure your name isn't spelled Lawyer? – Robusto Mar 14 '12 at 2:24
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I disagree with (a) and (b). All the statement indicates is that you will call after your return; you're not saying how long it will take to get back or indicating how long it will take before you call (Obviously that shouldn't be too long, but how long is too long is a matter of opinion). – Andrew Leach Mar 14 '12 at 2:26
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@AndrewLeach: I think Mr. Lawler is trying to be funny, and I also think that sort of thing is better done in a comment than an answer. – Robusto Mar 14 '12 at 2:28
@Robusto: Well anyone who didn't see the lighter side in the answer would hardly be misled after reading the comments! Actually, John's proposition that the allowable timespan for "soon" relates to the time you have been gone dating from this message is a new one on me. I'd probably cut myself some slack and say within 20% or 30% though. – FumbleFingers Mar 14 '12 at 3:43
You're not the person who's interpreting your message, or at least not the one totting up the commitments, namely the addressee. I was just giving their likely interpretations. – John Lawler Mar 14 '12 at 3:46
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up vote -1 down vote

I will call you as soon as I am back or I will call you as soon as I get back are more correct versions of the sentence.

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More correct? That implies that there is some error in the sentence in the question, which there is not. They are alternate version of the question, but they are just longer, not better in any quantifiable way. – Matt Эллен Mar 14 '12 at 9:35
once I get back is clunky – darryn.ten Mar 14 '12 at 9:51

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