back to the fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back to the fact" is not standard in written English and may be confusing.
It could be used when transitioning back to a specific point or detail that has been previously mentioned. Example: "Now that we've discussed the implications, let's go back to the fact that the data shows a significant increase in sales."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It goes back to the fact that these ice age extinctions occurred.

The Guardian - Tech

That probably goes back to the fact that when I was a boy in the Depression, we'd have a handful of spaghetti, with ketchup.

The New York Times

Part of the problem, the report says, goes back to the fact that, in many areas, both parents cannot establish legal ties to their children.

The New York Times

I think that goes back to the fact that Polish football is a lot more humble than the English Premier League in terms of wages and money.

The Guardian - Sport

"At universities people struggle a lot and I think it goes back to the fact that people don't learn how to look after themselves while at school".

The Guardian

The confusion about who to trust on Iraq may go back to the fact that both candidates were right about the war, in different ways.

The New York Times

Even more than that we like to watch what people do with this data – and that brings us back to the fact that this process never being finished.

The Guardian

"All of this goes back to the fact that there is an absence of shared vision about the past in this part of the world," Andrew Horvat, director of the Stanford Center in Kyoto, Japan, told Reuters.

The New York Times

But, to the best of my ability to track that down, it always came back to the fact that she did knock heads together but in my mind she did it when it needed to be done".

The New Yorker

In his act, he often circles back to the fact that he stands five feet five, turning his height into a symbol of the gap between the ideal world and the one he lives in.

The New Yorker

But I keep coming back to the fact that this administration is full of people who knew that financial crises tended to produce weak recoveries — and that the typical policy mistake was being too timid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back to the fact" to smoothly transition the conversation back to a core detail, especially after a detour or tangential discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "back to the fact" too frequently in formal or academic writing. Opt for more concise and direct phrasing such as "therefore" or "thus" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back to the fact" serves as a transitional phrase, signaling a return to a previously mentioned detail or fundamental point within a discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, mainly as a prepositional phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back to the fact" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that serves as a transitional element, signaling a return to a previously discussed point. While Ludwig AI indicates that it's acceptable in various contexts, predominantly in news and scientific domains, being mindful of overuse, especially in formal writing, is advisable. To ensure conciseness, consider using more direct alternatives like "therefore" or "thus". Its primary function is to refocus attention, reinforce arguments, or emphasize key information. The phrase maintains a generally neutral register, making it adaptable to diverse communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to the point

Replaces "back" with "return" emphasizing a formal redirection to a topic.

revisit the issue

Emphasizes the act of considering the matter again.

focus on the matter

Highlights the importance of concentrating on the subject at hand.

consider the reality

Shifts the emphasis from a specific point to the actual state of affairs.

bear in mind

Suggests remembering or not forgetting a particular point.

keep in mind

Similar to 'bear in mind', this emphasizes maintaining awareness of a detail.

remember that

Directly urges the listener or reader to recall something.

recall that

Similar to 'remember that', but can imply a more formal or deliberate act of remembering.

think about

Encourages reflection on a specific detail or aspect.

let's not forget

Serves as a reminder of a crucial piece of information that should not be overlooked.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "back to the fact" to sound more formal?

Consider using alternatives like "to reiterate", "it is important to note", or "to emphasize" to achieve a more formal tone.

What's a simpler way to say "back to the fact" in casual conversation?

In informal contexts, you can use phrases like "anyway", "going back to", or "remember" to convey the same meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use "back to the fact that" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically sound, starting a sentence with "back to the fact that" can sound awkward. It's often better to integrate it within the sentence or use a transitional phrase instead.

What's the difference between "back to the fact" and "in fact"?

"Back to the fact" redirects attention to a previously mentioned point, while "in fact" introduces something that is true, often surprising or reinforcing a statement.