back to the starting position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back to the starting position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing a return to an original state or location, often in relation to a process or activity. Example: "After completing the exercise, make sure to return back to the starting position before attempting it again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's easier said than done".Between now and the next European summit, the effort of several euro-zone states will be to push Germany back to the starting position of the June summit.

The Economist

Then, in the recovery, things happen in reverse, as you dip the handles (raising the blade from the water) and twist the oar to allow the blade to pass back to the starting position without catching the surface.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Between you and your goal are dunes and drops in the sand, and if you overshoot, the ball goes back to the starting position.

TechCrunch

Once the participants had memorised the map, they entered the virtual environment i.e. shopping complex and were asked to complete a journey through the virtual environment from and back to the starting position.

Brain Informatics

Bring it back to the starting position to your shoulder.

Huffington Post

Then, move each foot back to the starting position (c).

Huffington Post

Slowly release and bring back to the starting position.

Huffington Post

Remember to only lift the hips back to the starting position.

Huffington Post

However, in modern frogs, almost all muscles have been modified to contribute to the action of jumping, with only a few small muscles remaining to bring the limb back to the starting position and maintain posture.

Wikipedia

Thereafter the arm or leg moved back to the starting position.

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Thereafter, the upper body was lowered down back to the starting position.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing iterative processes or exercises, use "back to the starting position" to clearly indicate the return to the initial setup before the next repetition. This is especially helpful in instructional content.

Common error

Avoid using "back to the starting position" interchangeably with phrases like "return to square one" if you don't intend to convey the sense of failure or complete restart implied by the latter. "Back to the starting position" is more neutral and descriptive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back to the starting position" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb to indicate direction or movement. As shown by Ludwig, it describes a return to an initial location or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back to the starting position" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase indicating a return to an initial location or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in instructional and descriptive contexts across various domains such as exercise guides, news reports, and scientific explanations, its formality is generally neutral, suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating when a return is integral to the process. Consider related phrases like "return to square one" or "revert to the original state" for alternative nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go back to the beginning

A straightforward alternative emphasizing a return to the initial point in a sequence or process.

return to square one

This idiom implies a restart after a failure, emphasizing the need to begin again from the very beginning.

start over from scratch

Similar to 'return to square one', this emphasizes starting anew without any prior progress or resources.

revert to the original state

This phrase focuses on the act of returning something to its initial condition or form.

return to the initial stage

Similar to 'original state', but specifically highlights returning to the first phase of a process.

reset to default

Common in technical contexts, this suggests restoring settings to their factory defaults.

recover the initial position

Focuses on regaining a previous location or status, often after a displacement or setback.

get back to the basics

This emphasizes a return to fundamental principles or skills, often after a period of complexity or deviation.

go back to base

This implies returning to a central or home location, often used in military or strategic contexts.

back to the drawing board

This idiom suggests that an idea or plan has failed and needs to be reconsidered from the beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "back to the starting position" to describe the action of returning to an initial state or location. For example, "After each repetition of the exercise, return "back to the starting position"."

What's an alternative to saying "back to the starting position"?

Alternatives include "return to square one", "revert to the original state", or simply "go back to the beginning" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify "back to the starting position" after each step?

Not always. Specifying "back to the starting position" is crucial when the return is an integral part of the process, like in exercises or iterative procedures. Omit it if the return is implied or obvious.

What is the difference between ""back to the starting position"" and "return to the initial state"?

While similar, "return to the initial state" is more formal and general, applicable in various contexts. "Back to the starting position" often refers to a physical location or a defined starting point in a process.