back to same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back to same" is not considered standard or grammatically correct in written English.
It would be better to say "back to the same" or "back to where we started." Example: After hours of brainstorming, we have come back to the same solution we had at the beginning of the meeting.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But all the attention keeps coming back to same, single, stubborn issue: the state flag.

The New York Times

Each evening, after a day of consultations in her GP's surgery, the newspapers have sent her back to same nagging question: "What am I, Mme Pépin, 56 years old, six children, actually doing to make foreigners welcome in France and help them become better integrated?" Nine months ago, she got the beginnings of an answer.

The Guardian

The process of filling a vehicle and afterward bringing the tanks in refueling station back to same pressures, are called a complete refueling cycle.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

And I knew then, that no matter how good Pacific Rim would be, it was not going to take me back to same wonder and magic of my childhood.

Huffington Post

The automated microscope precisely returned back to same cell population field.

Cell Death and Disease

Block any holes and/or tunnels that you find and try to prevent them for being taken back to same place again (by a cat, for example).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Which brings me back to same-sex marriage.

The New York Times

"Well, it went back to the same old, same old.

Huffington Post

They always go back to the same thing, the same thing".

The New Yorker

Usually, in a Season 2, you go back to your same locations and same sets.

Huffington Post

I was going to go back to that same cubicle with those same spreadsheets.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article "the" before "same" when referring to returning to a specific, previously mentioned entity or state. For example, use "back to the same" instead of "back to same".

Common error

A common mistake is to omit the article "the" before "same" when it is required. This makes the phrase grammatically incorrect. Always ensure "the" is present to maintain grammatical accuracy, like in the expression "back to the same".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back to same" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically indicating a return to a previous state or condition. However, it's grammatically incomplete without the definite article 'the'. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct usage is "back to the same".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "back to same" appears in various sources, it's crucial to recognize that it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI advises, the correct and preferred phrasing is "back to the same". This ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing. The phrase aims to convey a return to a previous state or condition, and its usage spans across informal and neutral contexts, though formal writing demands the correct "back to the same".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to baseline

Suggests returning to a standard or reference point.

go back to where we started

Highlights a cyclical return to an initial position or situation.

return to the previous status

Focuses on returning to a former position or rank.

revert to the prior condition

Highlights a return to a previous state of being, especially after a change.

relapse into a former state

Emphasizes a return to a previous, often undesirable, condition.

return to the original

Focuses on the act of going back to a starting point, emphasizing the initial state.

regress to the initial phase

Implies a step backward to an earlier stage of development or progress.

go back to square one

Implies restarting from the beginning after a failure or setback.

fall back on old habits

Suggests reverting to established patterns or behaviors, often negative ones.

get back to normal

Indicates a return to a typical or expected state after a disruption.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "back to same"?

The grammatically correct way to phrase it is "back to the same". The inclusion of the article "the" makes the sentence grammatically sound.

Is "back to same" grammatically correct?

No, "back to same" is not considered grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "back to the same". Ludwig AI explains this discrepancy.

Can I use "back to same" in formal writing?

It is not advisable to use "back to same" in formal writing. Instead, use the correct phrase, "back to the same", to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

What are some alternatives to "back to same"?

While "back to same" isn't grammatically correct, you can use phrases like "return to the original", "revert to the prior condition", or simply "back to the same" depending on the context.