Returns: Methods

The following table shows the boilerplate wording for return value descriptions within method topics. The wording varies according to the type that is returned.

Return type	Wording	Examples
Class, interface, or structure	<Noun phrase description without specifying the data type. Begin with an introductory article.> Note: If the abstraction is not clear from the context, you can use the wording "An object that identifies/specifies/contains XXX." However, avoid this unless there is no other way to describe the return value.	Type: System.Threading.Thread The new thread. Type: System.IAsyncResult The posted asynchronous request.
Flag enum	A bitwise combination of the enumeration values <additional information, if necessary>.	Type: System.IO.FileAccess A bitwise combination of the enumeration values.
Other enum	One of the enumeration values <additional information, if necessary>.	Type: System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult One of the enumeration values that indicates the return value of a dialog box.
Boolean	true if XXX; otherwise, false. true if XXX; false if XXX. Note: Use the "otherwise" wording unless the second condition must be noted explicitly. Note: The wording for Boolean return values is "true if...," not "true to...." (The wording "true to...." is for parameters.)	Type: System.Boolean true if the specified path refers to a file; otherwise, false. Type: System.Boolean true if the enumerator was successfully advanced to the next element; false if the enumerator has passed the end of the collection. For ShouldSerialize <Property> methods, use this phrasing: Type:System.Boolean true if the InputBindings property value should be serialized; otherwise, false.
Other primitive or string	<Noun phrase description, without specifying the data type. Begin with an introductory article.>	Type: System.String The string being read. Type: System.Int32 The hash code for the current SortDescription object.
Array	An array XXX.	Type: System.Reflection.FieldInfo() An array that contains the fields implemented by a type.