back and forth concerning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back and forth concerning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a discussion or exchange of ideas that involves multiple parties expressing differing opinions or viewpoints. Example: "The committee had a back and forth concerning the proposed changes to the policy before reaching a consensus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a report on February 1 that hasn't quite lit the lamp of dissent either on Capitol Hill or in the newspapers, but the confused nature of the back and forth concerning the report isn't something to pass over lightly.

The Guardian - Opinion

For many years, the EPA and Congress went back and forth concerning the necessity to regulate power plant emissions specifically air toxins such as mercury, lead, particulate matter and many more.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not only do women loathe their bodies in ways men would never dream to, we also seem to form some kind of twisted bond over this universal hatred — remember that scene in Mean Girls when Gretchen, Regina and Karen stand in front of the full-length mirror and engage in a back-and-forth concerning who dislikes which parts of her body?

Huffington Post

Minsk and Moscow reached a deal after a month of back-and-forth proposals concerning oil deliveries.

Huffington Post

Candace Fox, 57, has spent more than 33 years behind bars despite a legal back-and-forth that prompted concern from a federal appeals court.

Los Angeles Times

This question plays out in a back-and-forth between Longino and Tabery concerning disciplinary relationships in the behavioral sciences.

SEP

The accelerated vesting of Mr. Lew's shares is part of a larger debate on Wall Street and in Washington, where people frequently move back and forth, creating concern that government officials may favor their old colleagues on Wall Street.

The New York Times

Back at the Iman mosque, the political back-and-forth was of little concern for those trying to find their relatives bodies.

The Guardian

"Many have raised concern over a back-and-forth between Howard Stern and myself, where we joked about me touching men during my Star Trek days fifty years ago," Takei wrote on Facebook.

Huffington Post

Gmail has 425 million users worldwide, including me, and while I was never arrogant enough to assume that the company took any interest in the daily back and forth with my boyfriend concerning what's for dinner ("not fish please, I had fish yesterday, for lunch"), I always assumed there must be some kind of machine scanning my inbox.

The Guardian - Opinion

The back-and-forth continues for weeks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "back and forth concerning", ensure that the context involves multiple exchanges or iterations, rather than a single instance of communication.

Common error

Avoid using "back and forth concerning" in very informal settings. While grammatically correct, the phrase can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "talking about" or "discussing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back and forth concerning" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to describe the nature of an interaction or discussion. It suggests an exchange of ideas or arguments related to a specific topic. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "back and forth concerning" is a prepositional phrase used to describe an iterative and often debated discussion about a particular subject. It is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, and typically found in neutral to slightly formal contexts such as news articles and academic papers. While useful for emphasizing the dynamic nature of an exchange, it can sometimes sound overly formal in casual settings, where simpler alternatives like "discussing" or "talking about" might be more appropriate. Ludwig's analysis suggests that this phrase serves to highlight ongoing negotiation or debate rather than a simple exchange of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concerning

Slightly more formal and direct.

regarding

More concise and formal; focuses on the subject matter.

about

Very general and widely applicable; less formal.

pertaining to

Highly formal and specific to the subject matter.

with respect to

Formal and indicates a specific point of view.

relating to

Indicates a connection or association.

in connection with

Formal and emphasizes a relationship or association.

dealing with

Focuses on the act of addressing or managing a topic.

addressing

Implies tackling or discussing a particular issue.

in relation to

Formal and highlights a comparative aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "back and forth concerning" to describe a discussion or negotiation regarding a particular topic. For example, "The lawyers engaged in a lengthy back and forth concerning the terms of the settlement." Alternatively, you could use "regarding", "about", or simply "discussing".

What is a more concise alternative to "back and forth concerning"?

A more concise alternative to "back and forth concerning" is simply "regarding" or "about". These options are more direct and less verbose.

When is it appropriate to use "back and forth concerning"?

It is appropriate to use "back and forth concerning" when you want to emphasize a prolonged discussion or debate, especially when there are multiple exchanges of opinions or arguments. In simpler contexts, alternatives like "discussing" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "back and forth concerning" and "discussion about"?

"Back and forth concerning" implies a more iterative and potentially contentious exchange than a simple "discussion about". "Discussion about" is a more neutral term, whereas "back and forth concerning" suggests negotiation or debate.