are not back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has not returned to a previous location or state. Example: "The guests are not back from their trip yet, so we should wait before starting dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other utilities are not back online, either.

The New York Times

So, no, we are not back there.

Independent

But they are not back to normal.

The New York Times

And no, combat shorts are not back.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Without doubt, things are not back to normal yet.

The New York Times

"Homeowners are not back in their houses yet.

The New York Times - Sports

"These units for monitoring political groups are not back.

The Guardian

12 17 Update: Our website is back, but our software mirrors are not back yet.

University of California, Berkeley

"Unfortunately, fuel is not back at 1999 levels, labor costs are not back at 1999 levels.

The New York Times

Still, things are not back to what they were, by a long chalk.

The Economist

Both shows remind us that the 1980's are not back; they never left.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are not back" when describing a situation where a return to a previous state, location, or condition is expected or relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "are not back" when referring to situations where a return to the previous state is impossible. For example, instead of saying "The broken vase is not back", use "The vase cannot be repaired" or "The vase is beyond repair".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not back" primarily functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject has not returned to a previous state, location, or condition. Ludwig confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not back" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that someone or something has not returned to a previous state, location, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to avoid using it in situations where a return is impossible. Alternatives such as "have not returned" or "are still missing" may be more appropriate depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember that using "are" or "is" depends on if it's plural or singular, respectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have not returned

Focuses specifically on the absence of a return to a place or situation.

are still not here

Emphasizes the current absence of someone or something.

have yet to come back

Highlights that the return is expected but hasn't happened yet.

are not reinstated

Indicates that something has not been brought back to its former position or condition.

are still missing

Conveys that someone or something is absent and not yet found.

are not restored

Implies that something has not been returned to its original condition.

remain absent

Formal way of stating that someone or something continues to be away.

are not yet present

Focuses on the current lack of presence.

haven't made it back

Indicates an inability or failure to return.

are still gone

Simple expression indicating a continued absence.

FAQs

How can I use "are not back" in a sentence?

You can use "are not back" to indicate that someone or something has not returned to a previous state or location. For example, "The utilities "are not online" yet" or "The homeowners "are not in their houses" yet".

What can I say instead of "are not back"?

Alternatives to "are not back" include "have not returned", "are still missing", or "are not restored", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is not back" instead of "are not back"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is not back" with singular subjects (e.g., "He is not back") and "are not back" with plural subjects (e.g., "They are not back").

What is the difference between "are not back" and "are not returned"?

"Are not back" generally implies a return to a place or state, while "are not returned" indicates that something has not been given back or restored. The choice depends on whether the context involves a physical return or a restoration of something.