back to the source

USAGE SUMMARY

'back to the source' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has come full circle or when returning back to a starting point. For example, "Let's go back to the source of the problem and address it head-on".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So back to the source.

The New York Times - Arts

Track this we can back to the source.

Independent

With audiobooks we go back to the source".

The New York Times - Books

Imagination trumps archeology, spiriting us back to the source.

The New York Times - Arts

What were the attempts to go back to the source?

The New York Times

The waves are then reflected back to the source.

Britannica

Bidirectional transformation approaches even allow to incrementally translate target model changes back to the source model.

Information and Software Technology

She liked to take my problems back to the source, which was usually me.

The New Yorker

Or – let's go back to the source – Lynyrd Skynyrd or The Allman Brothers.

Independent

"Ultimately, we were able to trace it back to the source, Cox Cable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Or maybe he was going for back-to-the-source authenticity.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back to the source" when emphasizing a return to fundamental principles or origins for clarity or problem-solving.

Common error

Avoid using "back to the source" in situations where a more direct or specific phrase would be more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or lacking in precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back to the source" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate a return to the origin or foundation of something. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "back to the source" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies a return to the origins or fundamental principles of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. The phrase is generally neutral in register and serves to emphasize the importance of understanding foundational elements. It is crucial to use the phrase in appropriate contexts to maintain clarity and avoid redundancy. Alternative phrases include "return to the origin" and ""go back to basics"", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. This makes "back to the source" a versatile and valuable addition to one's writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to the origin

Emphasizes the act of going back to the starting point or original state.

revert to the beginning

Highlights a return to the initial phase or starting point of a process or situation.

go back to basics

Focuses on returning to the fundamental principles or essential elements of something.

trace back to the root

Suggests investigating and finding the fundamental cause or origin of something.

refer to the original

Indicates consulting or considering the initial version or form of something.

go back to square one

Implies starting over completely from the very beginning after a setback or failure.

revisit the foundation

Highlights the act of re-examining the fundamental principles or basis of something.

consult the primary text

Refers to examining the original document or source for information or clarification.

re-examine the fundamentals

Focuses on re-evaluating the core principles or essential aspects of something.

check the initial data

Suggests verifying the original information or data to ensure accuracy or identify discrepancies.

FAQs

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

You can use "back to the source" to emphasize a return to fundamental principles or origins. For instance, "To understand the issue, we need to go "go back to basics" and re-examine the original data."

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "return to the origin", "revert to the beginning", or ""go back to basics"".

When is it appropriate to use "back to the source" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight the importance of revisiting the origins or foundational elements of a topic, idea, or problem. It suggests a need to understand the fundamental aspects before moving forward.

What does "back to the source" imply?

It implies that a deeper understanding or resolution can be achieved by examining the initial or original state of something. It suggests that essential information or context may be found by "referring to the original" or fundamental elements.