back in evolution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back in evolution" is not standard and may be confusing in written English.
It could be used in a context discussing the historical progression of species or ideas, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The concept of natural selection was a significant step back in evolution, reshaping our understanding of species development."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

How far back in evolution does art go?

The Guardian - Arts

Humans have made even violence a highly cooperative effort, and scientists have wondered how far back in evolution this trait goes.

The New York Times - Science

If you look back in evolution to say, the sea slug Aplysia, you see that the building blocks of this brain have not changed.

The Guardian

What we are finding is that the rudiments of what we thought of as particularly human social skills may have their roots much further back in evolution than previously expected.

The Guardian

Cells very much like the mast cells of people and other vertebrates are present in animal species at least as far back in evolution as tunicates (an ancient marine animal).

Stanford University

Aleks Krotoski takes a step back in evolution to understand our insatiable appetite for digital content.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The results indicate that a sense of equity goes far back in primate evolution.

Science Magazine

To see how far back in human evolution this delayed fusion goes, a team led by anthropologist Dean Falk of the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico, looked at a key marker of skull fusion in a large number of fossil early humans, modern humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos.

Science Magazine

Thus, the role of the hippocampal region in navigation appears to begin far back in vertebrate evolution, predating splits that occurred hundreds of millions of years ago.

Wikipedia

"Back in human evolution, if you wanted to hunt a large animal, it would be a much safer bet if you didn't have to go attack it with your hands but could throw large stones at it and disable it," Westergaard says.

Los Angeles Times

Going further back in the evolution of vascular plants, we investigated the presence of sulfated polysaccharides in a pteridophyte, an early evolved vascular terrestrial plant.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To be more specific, consider using phrases like "earlier in evolutionary history" or "in the early stages of evolution" to replace the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "back in evolution" to imply a reversal or regression in evolutionary processes. Evolution is not linear, and it doesn't 'go back'. Instead, use the phrase to refer to specific ancestral states or earlier forms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back in evolution" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a temporal point within the process of evolution. It specifies when something occurred or originated relative to the present. The Ludwig AI analysis suggests this phrase is acceptable, though not the most common or precise way to express the idea.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back in evolution" serves as a temporal marker, indicating a point earlier in the evolutionary timeline. Ludwig AI suggests it's acceptable, although less precise than alternatives like "earlier in evolutionary history". While grammatically sound, its infrequent usage and potential for ambiguity suggest considering clearer alternatives. The phrase appears most often in scientific contexts, reflecting its role in discussions about the origins and development of biological traits. It's important to use this phrase carefully, ensuring the context clearly indicates a comparison to a previous state or time period in evolutionary history.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier in evolutionary history

This alternative directly indicates a prior time within the timeline of evolution.

in the early stages of evolution

This specifies the initial phases of the evolutionary process.

at the dawn of evolution

This evokes a sense of the very beginning or origin of evolutionary development.

during the initial evolutionary period

This pinpoints a specific timeframe early in evolutionary history.

in ancestral forms

This focuses on the characteristics of organisms from which later species evolved.

tracing the origins of evolution

Emphasizes the process of discovering where evolutionary traits began.

from an evolutionary perspective

Shifts the focus to looking at something from a viewpoint rooted in the understanding of evolution.

in the evolutionary past

General reference to a non-specific earlier time in evolution.

prior to evolutionary divergence

Highlights a period before different species began to develop separately.

in less evolved organisms

Compares current organisms to their less developed ancestors.

FAQs

What does "back in evolution" mean?

The phrase "back in evolution" typically refers to a point earlier in evolutionary history. It's used to discuss the origins or ancestral states of traits, species, or processes.

Is it better to say "back in evolution" or "earlier in evolution"?

"Earlier in evolution" is generally clearer and more precise. While "back in evolution" isn't incorrect, it can be less direct.

How can I use "back in evolution" in a sentence?

Example: "To understand the function of this gene, we must look back in evolution to when it first appeared."

What's the difference between "back in evolution" and "in evolutionary history"?

"In evolutionary history" is a broader term referring to the entire timeline of evolution. "Back in evolution" implies a specific point or period within that timeline, often when discussing the origins of something.