back and forth to see

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back and forth to see" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process of discussion, negotiation, or examination that involves multiple exchanges or movements between two points or parties. Example: "We went back and forth to see which proposal would be the most beneficial for both sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We'll travel back and forth to see each other.

Independent

We cut back and forth to see what clothes Lady Gaga had chosen to wear at least four times.

The Guardian - Music

It's almost comical, for a viewer flipping the channel back and forth, to see identical segments about spot news and health.

The New York Times

In the "double-fold" test, you simply dogear a page and fold it back and forth to see if it breaks off.

The New York Times - Books

Looking at these pieces you instinctively shift back and forth to see from different angles as the relationship changes between the top and lower levels, and different views appear of what is below.

The New York Times - Arts

His family is in Washington, 130 miles south, and Oates says he has been "bouncing back and forth" to see his family and check in with the main office.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

If your snaps require users to rotate their photos back-and-forth to see what's going on, they'll tire of it fast.

Huffington Post

We don't have to lug her back and forth [to see my father].' [FM5, page 3] Although both residents and family members preferred that pneumonia care be provided in situ, they differed in their opinion of how they would like the decision to hospitalize to be made.

BMC Geriatrics

Since Tuesday night's rain, their homes have been underwater and some have been seen swimming back and forth to save at least some of their possessions.

BBC

Since Tuesday night's rain, their homes have been under water and some can be seen swimming back and forth to save at least some of their possessions, our correspondent says.

BBC

She has spent the last half-dozen years traveling back and forth to Africa, to see for herself how the Sachs experiment was unfolding.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "back and forth to see", ensure the context clearly indicates movement between locations or stages. For example, 'She traveled back and forth to see her family' is more effective than a vague statement like 'We went back and forth to see the results'.

Common error

Avoid using "back and forth to see" when there is no actual movement or exchange. For example, avoid saying 'We went back and forth to see what was best' if the decision was made in one location without any physical back and forth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back and forth to see" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, modifying a verb to indicate the reason for the movement. It describes the intent behind moving between two points, which is to observe or examine something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "back and forth to see" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for describing movement between two points with the purpose of observation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral level of formality. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates iterative movement and observation. Consider alternatives like "travel back and forth to witness" or "move around to inspect" for specific nuances. Avoid using it in static contexts where no actual movement occurs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shuttle back and forth to observe

Replaces 'see' with 'observe' and uses 'shuttle' instead of 'back and forth' to emphasize frequent traveling.

commute back and forth to observe

Uses 'commute' to imply regular travel, and replaces 'see' with the more formal 'observe'.

travel back and forth to witness

Substitutes 'see' with 'witness' for a more formal tone and to emphasize being present at an event.

swing back and forth to look

Replaces see with 'look', less precise but still conveying observation.

alternate between locations to view

Employs 'alternate between locations' to convey movement and 'view' as a substitute for 'see'.

go back and forth in order to view

Replaces "to see" with "in order to view", changing the sentence structure for emphasis on purpose.

travel between locations for viewing

Rephrases the sentence structure to use 'for viewing' instead of 'to see', emphasizing the action.

move around to inspect

Substitutes 'inspect' for 'see', implying a more thorough examination while 'move around' replaces the 'back and forth' motion.

move between places to watch

Simplifies the phrase, using 'move between places' instead of 'back and forth' and 'watch' instead of 'see'.

go to and fro to check

Uses archaic language 'to and fro' in place of back and forth to express the movement and 'check' instead of 'see'.

FAQs

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

You can use "back and forth to see" to describe physical movement between places for observation, like "I travel "back and forth" between my office and home to see my kids."

What does "back and forth to see" mean?

"Back and forth to see" means moving between two places repeatedly for the purpose of observing something at each location.

What are some alternatives to "back and forth to see"?

Alternatives include "travel back and forth to witness", "move around to inspect", or "shuttle back and forth to observe", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "back and forth to see" or a more specific verb?

It depends on the context. "Back and forth to see" emphasizes the movement itself, while a more specific verb like "inspect", "examine", or "observe" focuses on the action of looking. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.