a few things back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few things back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was mentioned or occurred a short time ago in a conversation or text. Example: "As I mentioned a few things back, we need to finalize the project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

So let's put a few things back on the table.

The New York Times - Magazine

He set about putting a few things back in place, hanging up clothes that were lying over the chair and on the bed, straightening the lampshade, picking up newspapers and everything else on the floor.

The New Yorker

Mr. Weissler, whose productions include "Chicago" and "Kiss Me Kate," said yesterday that the jokes were "in the spirit of fun," adding that he had been tempted to "throw a few things back at Rosie".

The New York Times

I eventually moved back to LA, and was pretty much out of work when I got a call from David Bowie's people, these were guys who taught me a few things back in the studio before they started working for Bowie.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr Ferguson's confusion about the politics of professional economics leads him to get a few things almost back to front.

The Economist

To be clear, I don't have anything approaching Professor Chenoweth's expertise, and I looked at only about 30 cases compared to her "hundreds". Still, I did find a few things that back up her argument that nonviolent resistance is more effective.

The Washington Post

There are still quite a few things holding back such broad use of personal genomics.

Huffington Post

At the risk of anticlimax, I can add here a few things that swam back to mind in the interval.

The New York Times

Biceps, triceps, a few things for the back, calves, shoulders and so on — and then I'll go on the running machine, cross-trainer or mountain climber.

The Guardian - Sport

(Well, all right, a few things can; see back page to head off trouble). As for concerns about kitchen inadequacies, consider this: I once whipped up cookie dough in the back seat of a car on the way to a TV show and then baked it in the studio.

The Washington Post

"We got the idea at Matt's wedding, where Andrew was sent to get a few things but came back with completely different items," said Andrew.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few things back", ensure the context is clear to the reader or listener to avoid confusion about what you're referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "a few things back" if the referenced items or events haven't been clearly established, as it can lead to ambiguity. Provide clear context or re-state the items to improve understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few things back" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a reference point in the past. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few things back" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to reference something mentioned or occurred earlier in a conversation or text. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and has a neutral to informal tone. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its infrequent usage suggests considering clearer or more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings. Alternatives include phrases like "earlier on" or "previously mentioned" for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier in this conversation

Specifically points back to a previous point in a current discussion.

a little while ago

Denotes a short amount of time has passed, emphasizing brevity.

a few moments ago

Signifies something occurred in the very recent past, stressing immediacy.

previously mentioned

Highlights that something was discussed before, focusing on the act of mentioning.

some time ago

Refers to a point in the past, emphasizing a duration of time rather than specific items or events.

as previously stated

Highlights that something was communicated at an earlier stage, usually in a formal tone.

earlier on

Implies something occurred at an initial stage of an activity or process.

some time back

Similar to "some time ago", this emphasizes duration from a past point.

in the recent past

Indicates a period closer to the present, with a broader scope than specific items.

in the past few instances

Refers to previous occurrences, with a specific scope to just a few situations or items.

FAQs

How can I use "a few things back" in a sentence?

You can use "a few things back" to refer to something that was mentioned or occurred a short time ago. For example, "As I mentioned "a few things back", we need to finalize the project this week."

What are some alternatives to saying "a few things back"?

You can use alternatives such as "a little while ago", "earlier on", or "previously mentioned" depending on the context.

Is "a few things back" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a few things back" is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is commonly used in conversational and informal contexts to refer to something mentioned earlier.

In what situations is it best to use "a few things back"?

It's best to use "a few things back" in informal conversations or writing when you want to refer to something you've already mentioned, without being overly formal or specific about the time frame.