are returning to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are returning to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something is going back to a previous place or state. Example: "After a long vacation, we are returning to our hometown to reconnect with family and friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

American power companies are returning to coal.

The Economist

We are returning to business as usual".

The New York Times

The kids are returning to school.

The New York Times

Investment dollars are returning to the region".

Independent

People are returning to work.

The New York Times

Now athletic games are returning to Nemea.

The New York Times - Arts

Troops are returning to their barracks.

The Guardian - Sport

We are returning to the airport".

The New York Times

We are returning to normality: rising temperatures.

The Guardian

Yes, flora and fauna are returning to the area.

The New York Times

Several actors are returning to roles they played on stage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are returning to" to emphasize a cyclical action or a return to a previous state, place, or activity. This phrasing is particularly useful when highlighting a trend or a renewed focus on something.

Common error

Avoid using "are returning to" when a simple past tense like "returned to" is more appropriate. "Are returning to" implies an ongoing or habitual action, not a one-time event in the past.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "are returning to" is to act as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that is currently in progress or is happening repeatedly. Ludwig examples confirm its widespread use in describing ongoing transitions or cyclical events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are returning to" is a versatile and commonly used present continuous verb phrase that signifies a movement back to a previous state, place, or activity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Its usage is particularly frequent in news and media, but also appears in science and formal business writing, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, be mindful to use "are returning to" for ongoing or habitual actions, and avoid it when a simple past tense would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are going back to

Uses a more basic verb "go" instead of "return", making it slightly less formal.

are heading back to

Emphasizes the direction of movement and intent to return.

are coming back to

Highlights the act of coming back, often implying a sense of relief or completion.

are reverting to

Suggests a return to a former condition or practice, often after a change or deviation.

are restoring to

Indicates a return to a previous state of functionality or completeness.

are making a comeback to

Highlights a return to popularity or prominence after a period of decline.

are turning back to

Implies a conscious decision to return to something, often for support or guidance.

are retracing steps to

Focuses on the act of going back along the same path or process.

are finding their way back to

Emphasizes the effort and journey involved in returning.

are flocking back to

Suggests a large number of people or things returning to a place or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "are returning to" in a sentence?

The phrase "are returning to" is used to describe a situation where people or things are going back to a previous state, place, or activity. For example, "After the pandemic, tourists "are returning to" their favorite destinations".

What are some alternatives to "are returning to"?

You can use alternatives like "are going back to", "are heading back to", or "are coming back to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is returning to" instead of "are returning to"?

No, "is returning to" is used with a singular subject, while "are returning to" is used with a plural subject. For example, "The student is returning to school" versus "The students "are returning to" school".

What's the difference between "are returning to" and "returned to"?

"Are returning to" indicates an ongoing or repeated action in the present, while "returned to" indicates a completed action in the past. For instance, "People "are returning to" the office" (ongoing) versus "They returned to the office yesterday" (completed).