a relapse into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relapse into" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a return to a previous undesirable state, often in the context of health, behavior, or habits. Example: "After months of recovery, he experienced a relapse into his old habits, which was disheartening for his family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A relapse into drug use.

The New York Times

The most immediate is a relapse into chronic inflation.

The Economist

The risk of a relapse into strongman rule remains high.

The Economist

And you can't sex it up without risking a relapse into your old, destructive habits.

The Guardian - Opinion

A case in point is mindfulness-based therapy to prevent a relapse into depression.

The New York Times - Health

In a Guardian interview in 2010, he spoke about a relapse into alcoholism, his rehabilitation and his open-heart surgery.

The Guardian - Film

Postconflict societies need Gene's writings to help prevent a relapse into civil war".

The New York Times

A relapse into feudal anarchism seemed inevitable, and Yelü's reforms fell into temporary abeyance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Talk abounds of an Islamist takeover or a relapse into authoritarian rule.

The Economist

But the 24-year-old, nicknamed "White Rhino", has instead been inactive for the past three months following a relapse into his long-standing mental health problem.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

and certainly it didn't help the fact that I mean I think that cost me a relapse back into drinking, not into depression.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a relapse into" to describe a return to a former, typically undesirable, state or behavior after a period of improvement or remission. It is commonly associated with addiction, illness, or negative habits.

Common error

Avoid using "lapse" interchangeably with "relapse". "Lapse" refers to a temporary slip or error, while "relapse" signifies a more significant return to a previous condition or behavior. Using "lapse" when "relapse" is more appropriate diminishes the severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relapse into" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, indicating a return to a prior condition or behavior. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is considered correct and widely used in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a relapse into" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a return to a former state, typically an undesirable one. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use. It's important to distinguish it from similar terms like "lapse" and to avoid redundant phrasing like "relapse back into". The phrase frequently appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating its broad applicability across various domains. When writing, focus on maintaining precision and selecting contextually appropriate alternatives when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a return to

A more general term for going back to a previous state or condition.

a lapse into

Suggests a temporary failure or decline.

a fall back into

Suggests a negative or unwanted return.

a reversion to

Focuses on the act of returning to a prior condition or practice.

a regression to

Highlights a decline or return to a less developed state.

a setback to

Implies a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

a slip into

Indicates a gradual and often unnoticed return to a former state.

a backsliding to

Emphasizes a moral or ethical decline.

a slide into

Describes a gradual and uncontrolled movement to a worse situation.

a descent into

Conveys a downward progression to a negative state.

FAQs

How can I use "a relapse into" in a sentence?

You can use "a relapse into" to describe a return to a previous state, typically an undesirable one. For example, "After months of sobriety, he suffered "a relapse into" alcoholism".

What's the difference between "a relapse into" and "a return to"?

"A relapse into" specifically implies a return to a negative or undesirable state after a period of improvement, while "a return to" is more general and doesn't necessarily carry the same negative connotation. For example, you can have "a return to normalcy" but not "a relapse into normalcy".

What are some alternatives to "a relapse into"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a regression to", "a reversion to", or "a setback to" as alternatives to "a relapse into".

Is it correct to say "a relapse back into"?

While it's understandable to want to emphasize the return, adding "back" to "a relapse into" is redundant. It's best to stick with the concise and correct phrase, ""a relapse into"".