back to the routine

USAGE SUMMARY

"back to the routine" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a certain pattern or way of doing things that is established and repeated regularly. For example: "After the holiday, it was time to get back to the routine of waking up early and going to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Then you have to get back to the routine".

The New York Times

I guess it is back to the routine".

The New York Times - Sports

Now we're back to the routine of doing what it is that Americans do.

The New York Times

Nodding toward the other workers around, he said, "Then we will be back to the routine of doing nothing".

The New York Times

Arras-Reims, 194km Back to the routine stuff, and after Ypres, the start is in another town that evokes the Great War.

The Guardian - Sport

The chancellor added: "But as humans, we have a basic need and desire to get back to the routine of the normal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

School also helps the children get back to the routines they had before".

Unicef

The development of automated track readers dates back to the first routine dosimetry applications of solid state nuclear track detectors.

Radiation Measurements

Mr. Hutchison offers solid support as Adam's best friend, who tries to draw him back to the grounding routine of work.

The New York Times

It was never going to be easy getting back to the normal routine of a world series after the Olympics but the niggles have made it worse.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're not going to get back to the normal routine," said Michael Boyd, president of the Boyd Group, an airline consulting firm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back to the routine" to emphasize a return to a structured and familiar way of doing things after a disruption, such as a vacation or special event. It suggests a sense of normalcy and predictability.

Common error

Avoid using "back to the routine" when implying a need for flexibility or change. This phrase suggests a return to established patterns, which might not be suitable if a more adaptable approach is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back to the routine" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial, modifying a verb to indicate a return to a customary set of actions or habits. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "back to the routine" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a return to regular activities after an interruption. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is adverbial, modifying verbs to indicate this resumption. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic and formal business contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, consider whether the connotation of established patterns aligns with your intended meaning, as it might not suit situations requiring flexibility. Alternatives include "return to normalcy" or "resume normal activities" for slightly different nuances. Ludwig examples effectively demonstrate its usage across diverse sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to the usual schedule

Focuses on the time-oriented aspect of resuming activities.

resume normal activities

Highlights the act of restarting typical actions after an interruption.

get back into the swing of things

Emphasizes the ease and rhythm of returning to regular activities.

re-establish a pattern

Focuses on the creation or restoration of a consistent behavior.

revert to the established order

Stresses a return to a pre-existing structured arrangement.

fall back into accustomed habits

Highlights the involuntary nature of resuming familiar behaviors.

return to normalcy

Emphasizes a return to a state of ordinary, expected conditions.

settle back into a rhythm

Highlights the comfort of getting used to certain activities again.

get back on track

Focuses on getting back to one's plans or intentions.

pick up where you left off

Highlights the seamless continuation of a halted activity.

FAQs

How can I use "back to the routine" in a sentence?

You can use "back to the routine" to describe a return to regular activities. For example, "After the holidays, it's time to get "back to the routine" of work and school."

What's a good alternative to "back to the routine"?

Alternatives include "return to normalcy", "resume normal activities", or "get back into the swing of things", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "back to the routine" or "back to routine"?

"Back to the routine" is the standard and grammatically correct form. Omitting "the" makes the phrase sound incomplete.

What's the difference between "back to the routine" and "back to normal"?

"Back to the routine" refers specifically to returning to a set of regular activities or habits, while "back to normal" implies a return to a general state of normalcy or expected conditions, which can encompass more than just daily activities.