backtrack

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "backtrack" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb, and it can be used to describe someone or something that reverses their course of action, retracts or denies a statement, or returns to a previous topic of conversation. For example: "The politician backtracked on her earlier statement on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nick Clegg has removed one of the barriers to a second coalition deal with the Conservatives by refusing to veto an in-out referendum on European Union membership, and instead insisted that the Tories backtrack on their plans for £12bn of welfare cuts.

The Guardian

In his next brace of interviews, Miliband is bound to backtrack by arbitrarily listing recent television programmes and unconvincingly declaring them to be his favourite.

The Guardian

Senior members of the party federal executive said there was a potential deal in which Clegg conditionally conceded an EU referendum to Cameron, but demanded in exchange that George Osborne backtrack on plans to cut welfare bills by £12bn over the next two years.

The Guardian

But British pressure related to the UK's electoral timetable – and the potential for an easy campaigning hit for Ukip – may have led Almunia to backtrack from his previous misgivings, according to some environmentalists.

The Guardian

The few who have criticised Israel, such as Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and Rihanna, have been strongly rebuked by other celebrities, prompting several to backtrack.

The Guardian

The USA men's ice hockey team for the Winter Olympics had to backtrack after calling up a 67-year-old Canadian non-skater by mistake.

The Guardian - Sport

Lamb revealed how he almost quit as a coalition minister because of government plans to backtrack on a major breakthrough in mental health care.

The Guardian

The army, meanwhile, was forced to backtrack on a bewildering claim it had rescued all of the girls.

The Guardian

But it has since seemed to backtrack on this.

The Economist

They have been attempting to scupper the election by whipping up a crisis over a dodgy land purchase by General Surayud Chulanont, the interim prime minister.Press criticism has forced the army to backtrack on other nefarious schemes, including a proposed law granting it sweeping powers in any future "emergency" of its own choosing.

The Economist

He repealed outdated security legislation and was slowly rolling back the system of ethnic preferences, begun in 1971, that give Malays a leg-up over Chinese and Indians considered to have benefited unfairly from the colonial economy of the British.Yet to survive an onslaught from his conservative wing, Mr Najib has been forced to backtrack abruptly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "backtrack" when you want to emphasize a reversal of a previous action or statement, especially in the context of politics or negotiations.

Common error

Avoid using "backtrack" to describe simple errors. "Backtrack" implies a deliberate decision or policy change, not just an accidental slip-up. Instead of saying "He backtracked on the calculation error", consider "He corrected the calculation error."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "backtrack" is as a verb. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the act of reversing a previous action, statement, or decision. Examples show its frequent use in describing policy changes or retractions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "backtrack" is a verb most commonly used in news and media to describe the reversal of a prior action or statement. According to Ludwig AI, this word is considered grammatically correct. High-quality sources frequently employ this term. When writing, remember that "backtrack" signifies a deliberate change and should not be confused with correcting a simple mistake. Alternative phrases such as "reverse course" or "take back" can be used depending on the specific context to convey similar meaning. Furthermore, this summary anticipates common questions, clarifying usage nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reverse course

Indicates a complete change in direction or strategy.

take back

Indicates a retraction of something said or offered, similar to reversing a position.

withdraw

Implies removing something, such as a statement, offer, or troops.

walk back

Suggests a softening or reversal of a previously firm statement or decision.

back down

Implies conceding or withdrawing from a confrontation or argument.

retreat

Implies withdrawing from a position or commitment, often in the face of opposition.

rescind

Signifies the official cancellation or revocation of a law, order, or agreement.

change one's mind

Suggests a shift in opinion or decision, leading to a different action.

take a step back

Suggests reassessing a situation and potentially reversing a decision.

renege

Indicates a failure to honor a commitment or agreement.

FAQs

How to use "backtrack" in a sentence?

You can use "backtrack" to describe someone reversing a decision or statement, as in "The politician had to "backtrack" after facing public criticism."

What can I say instead of "backtrack"?

You can use alternatives like "retreat", "take back", or "reverse course" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "backtrack" or "back track"?

"Backtrack" is the correct spelling as a single word when used as a verb meaning to reverse a decision or retrace steps. "Back track" as two words is less common but can be used in other contexts.

What's the difference between "backtrack" and "withdraw"?

"Backtrack" often implies reversing a position or statement, while "withdraw" suggests removing something, like support or participation. For instance, a country might withdraw troops, while a politician might backtrack on a promise.