back and forth change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'back and forth change' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a situation where something is shifting between two conditions, or two aspects, repeatedly. For example, "The temperature in our office has been going back and forth between too hot and too cold all week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lawyer Colleen Harrington argued that WCC, which has had a back-and-forth change in policy on methadone treatment for a number of years, was not sticking to its word in providing methadone to inmates who needed it.

Vice

The pore cross section of lipid-lined toroidal pore changes through increase or decrease or following a back-and-forth change of the value of the area of cross section of the pore [ 13, 158].

BioMed Research International

A blob of high pressure, shifting back and forth, changed the direction of the air flow as it fought with the prevailing sea breeze, constantly pushing the Thomas fire into new territory and keeping it going for weeks.

Los Angeles Times

A clear anticlockwise rotation is seen in a plane nearly perpendicular to the YZ plane as a whole, with occasional back-and-forth changes in direction.

Earth, Planets and Space

In addition, we observe back and forth changes in a short time span between two cells covering the neighboring areas.

EPJ Data Science

No suggested physiological or developmental event prior to lethargus can serve as a plausible candidate for abrupt back and forth changes in the mechanical properties of the body (cuticle).

eLife

The blobs can be moved up or down to change their pitch, or back and forth to change their timing.

MIT Technology Review

You can swipe back and forth to change categories of emoji.

WikiHow

Move the flute back and forth to change the note you are playing.

WikiHow

"The constant back-and-forth and changes just don't engender confidence that Beijing has really any idea what they are doing".

The Guardian - Business

During this back and forth, nothing changed in Ms. Calderone's financial situation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "back and forth change", ensure the context clearly indicates what is changing and between which states. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "back and forth change" without clearly defining what is changing. The phrase can become vague if the subject of the change is not explicitly stated. For example, instead of saying "There was a back and forth change", specify "There was a back and forth change in policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back and forth change" functions as a noun phrase describing a situation characterized by repeated alternation between two states or conditions. As Ludwig underlines, the phrase is valid but not commonly used.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "back and forth change" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe repeated alterations between two states. However, Ludwig's analysis suggests it's not particularly common, with limited examples available. For more formal or specific contexts, consider using alternatives such as "fluctuating change" or "reciprocal alteration". Ensure that when using the phrase, the context clearly defines what is changing to maintain clarity. While valid, the phrase benefits from careful application to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fluctuating change

Emphasizes the instability and variance inherent in the change.

reciprocal alteration

Highlights the mutual or corresponding nature of the change.

alternating modification

Focuses on the sequential and regular nature of the change.

oscillating shift

Suggests a rhythmic movement between two states or conditions.

reversible change

Implies the ability to return to a previous state after the change.

cyclic variation

Highlights the repetitive and patterned nature of the change.

interchangeable shift

Stresses the ease and possibility of swapping between different states.

two-way transformation

Emphasizes that the transformation has two directions

changing dynamics

Highlights that more things are changing in loop

constant reversal

Focuses on the repetitive and returning nature of the change.

FAQs

How can I use "back and forth change" in a sentence?

You can use "back and forth change" to describe alterations or shifts that occur repeatedly between two states or conditions. For example: "The company experienced a "back and forth change" in leadership strategy before settling on a final plan."

What's a more formal alternative to "back and forth change"?

A more formal alternative could be "reciprocal alteration" or "alternating modification". These phrases provide a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality. For example, instead of "back and forth change", you might say "The data showed a reciprocal alteration in the market trends".

Is "back and forth change" grammatically correct?

Yes, "back and forth change" is grammatically correct, though it's relatively less common. It describes a situation where something changes repeatedly between two states. Ludwig confirms its validity for use in written English.

What are some phrases similar to "back and forth change"?

Similar phrases include "fluctuating change", "oscillating shift", or "reversible change", all conveying the idea of alternation or movement between different states.