I will be right back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I will be right back" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you need to inform someone that you will return shortly. Example: "I need to grab my jacket; I will be right back." Alternative expressions include "I'll be back soon" and "I'll return shortly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Soon, if things go right, I will be right back in the mode again".

The New York Times

"Right, I will be right back with you," says Mr Slager, who then returns to his police car.

Independent

Someone on Facebook will comment, "No spoilers!" and someone else will comment, "LOL, love ya, Kim!" And the show will end, and I will be right back here in this chair.

The New Yorker

"She said, 'I will be right back.

Los Angeles Times

I will be right back".

WikiHow

Say "I will be right back with your change," then come back and leave the full amount on the table.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I'll be right back.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'll be right back, sir".

The New Yorker

So sorry — I'll be right back.

The New Yorker

Sara: I'll be right back.

The New York Times

"O.K., I'll be right back," I say, spinning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context implies a return within a few minutes; using this phrase for a longer absence can lead to confusion or frustration for the listener.

Common error

Avoid using "I will be right back" if you are leaving for several hours or days. In such cases, it is more accurate to say "I will be back later" or "I will return tomorrow" to manage expectations correctly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I will be right back" functions as a future tense promise or assurance. It uses the modal verb 'will' to express a definite intention to return to the current location or state. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently appears as a quoted direct statement in journalistic narratives, signaling a brief interruption in an ongoing interaction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I will be right back" is a grammatically correct and widely recognized expression used to signal a temporary departure with the intent of returning immediately. While the contracted version "I'll be right back" is significantly more common in casual conversation, the full form remains useful for clarity and emphasis. Ludwig shows that this phrase is a staple in both journalistic storytelling and social etiquette guides, serving as a polite way to pause an interaction without ending it. When using it, remember that its 'contract' with the listener implies a return within minutes, making it a powerful tool for maintaining social or professional rapport during brief interruptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'll be right back

Standard contracted form preferred in nearly all spoken and informal written contexts

I will return shortly

More formal and suitable for professional correspondence or signage

I'll be back in a moment

Specifies a very short timeframe more explicitly

I am coming right back

Uses the present continuous to emphasize the immediacy of the action

Back in a second

Highly informal and clipped version common in digital messaging

I shall return in a minute

Uses 'shall' for a more traditional or slightly more formal tone

Give me just a second

Focuses on asking the listener for patience rather than just stating the departure

I'll be back before you know it

Idiomatic way to reassure the listener of a very fast return

Hold on a moment

Implicitly suggests the speaker is leaving but focuses on the 'wait' command

I will get right back to you

Specific to communication contexts, like returning a call or email

FAQs

Is it better to say "I will be right back" or "I'll be right back"?

In almost all spoken and informal written situations, "I'll be right back" is the natural choice. Use the uncontracted version only for extreme emphasis or in formal written instructions where contractions are avoided.

What is a more formal alternative to "I will be right back"?

A more professional or formal way to express this is "I will return shortly" or "please excuse me for a moment".

Can "I will be right back" be used in business emails?

Yes, but it usually refers to a momentary departure from a live chat or meeting. For an email response after a delay, "I will follow up shortly" is often more appropriate.

What does the 'right' in "I will be right back" mean?

The word 'right' functions as an adverb meaning 'immediately' or 'directly', emphasizing that there will be no delay in your return compared to just saying "I will be back".