back in order to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back in order to" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a mix-up of phrases and does not convey a clear meaning. An example of a correct phrase would be "I went back in order to retrieve my keys."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You have to step back in order to jump.

The New Yorker

One possibility is to go back in order to go forward.

The New Yorker

There is an inherent problem with going back in order to move ahead.

The New York Times - Arts

I do a circle of the exhibits and double back in order to lose him.

The Guardian

The promotional campaign is similarly interested in looking back in order to go forward.

The Guardian - Music

They probably sent it back in order to remove proof of its presence".

The Guardian

The young woman tipped her whole body back in order to look up.

The New York Times - Magazine

The community was encouraged to look back in order to imagine the future.

The Guardian - Sport

For Simons, the interesting thing was to look back in order to move forwards.

Independent

That spark arrived from musicians who glanced back in order to rush forward.

The New York Times - Books

In other words, it is necessary to step back in order to view the big picture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing purpose, consider using shorter, more direct alternatives like "to" or "so as to" instead of "back in order to" for clearer and more concise writing.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple prepositional phrases when expressing intent. Using phrases like "back in order to" can make your writing sound convoluted. Instead, opt for simpler constructions for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back in order to" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. However, as Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical correctness is questionable. It's used to express why something is done, often related to going or moving in a direction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back in order to" is frequently encountered across various sources like news, science, and wikis. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. While its purpose is to indicate the rationale behind an action, simpler alternatives like "to" or "so as to" are recommended for clearer communication. Therefore, it's advisable to use more concise options to avoid awkwardness in both formal and informal writing. The varied usage contexts contribute to its neutral register, but the questionable grammar impacts its overall effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to

Uses a shorter, more direct infinitive of purpose.

for

Uses a preposition to indicate purpose.

so as to

Uses a different connector to indicate purpose.

intending to

Focuses on the planned action.

in order that

Replaces the infinitive with a clause.

with the aim of

Highlights the desired outcome.

for the purpose of

Emphasizes the intention or aim.

as a means of

Highlights the method or strategy.

with a view to

Formal and emphasizes a forward-looking perspective.

in hopes of

Indicates a desired, but not guaranteed, outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "back in order to" correctly?

While "back in order to" appears frequently, it's often grammatically awkward. Rephrase your sentence to use simpler purpose clauses, such as "to" or "so that" for clearer communication.

What are some alternatives to "back in order to"?

You can use alternatives like "so as to", "in order that", or simply "to" depending on the context.

Is "back in order to" considered formal or informal?

Although the phrase may appear in various sources, including news and media, it is generally considered awkward. Opt for clearer and more concise alternatives in both formal and informal writing.

What is the difference between "back in order to" and "in order to"?

While "in order to" correctly expresses purpose, the addition of "back" is often redundant and grammatically questionable. It's better to stick with the standard "in order to", or simpler alternatives.