came back repeatedly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came back repeatedly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something returns multiple times over a period. Example: "Despite the challenges, she came back repeatedly to support her friends in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"The answer that came back repeatedly was: involve yourself in some field relating to the young".

The New York Times

He stayed for three weeks, went home, came back repeatedly and, early in 2007, just moved there.

The New York Times - Books

While I was in my thirties and still in my first marriage, another memory of me with my mother came back repeatedly.

The New Yorker

The men came back repeatedly, according to Ms. Yuan's letter, and confiscated legal documents related to Mr. Chen's case as well as a computer, video camera, audio recorder, flashlight and television antenna.

The New York Times

Throughout the day when I talked with him at the school -- in his office, over lunch in the public restaurant and in his hands-on class in the kitchen -- he came back repeatedly to the star-making machinery in the food world today.

The New York Times - Food

Ambitious was a word that came back repeatedly.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Tired from having come back repeatedly.

The New Yorker

(Trying to do it all in a day will wreck you; come back repeatedly).

The New Yorker

He comes back repeatedly to the threat posed by Donald Trump, reacting to him sometimes with contempt and sometimes with dread.

The Guardian - Books

Some of the artwork is so striking that shoppers come back repeatedly to collect a particular inmate's paintings or sketches.

The New York Times

But I found myself coming back repeatedly to an anonymous artist's version, puzzling over Bosch's freakiest dream of all.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came back repeatedly" to emphasize the persistence or frequency of a return. This is especially effective in narratives or descriptions where the repeated nature of the return is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "came back repeatedly" when a single return is intended. Instead, use "came back" or "returned". Using the phrase for a single event can dilute the intended meaning of recurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came back repeatedly" functions as a verb phrase indicating a recurring action. Ludwig highlights its usage in various contexts, signifying repeated returns or reappearances. It emphasizes the iterative nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came back repeatedly" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that describes a recurring action. As Ludwig confirms, it is often used to emphasize the persistence or frequency of returns across various fields. While it is not extremely common, with a usage frequency categorized as "uncommon", its neutral register makes it suitable for a diverse range of writing contexts, from news articles to scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returned frequently

Focuses on the frequency of return rather than the act of returning.

reappeared multiple times

Emphasizes the act of appearing again on several occasions.

kept returning

Highlights the continuous or habitual nature of the return.

visited again and again

Specifically implies a return visit, emphasizing the repetition.

made repeated comebacks

Suggests a return to a previous state or position after a decline.

reverted multiple times

Implies a return to a former condition or practice.

revisited frequently

Highlights the act of visiting again, with an emphasis on frequency.

showed up repeatedly

Focuses on the act of appearing or arriving multiple times.

kept recurring

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of an event or phenomenon.

happened again and again

Focuses on the repeated occurrence of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "came back repeatedly" in a sentence?

You can use "came back repeatedly" to describe someone or something returning multiple times, such as, "She "came back repeatedly" to help her family after each setback."

What are some alternatives to "came back repeatedly"?

Some alternatives include "returned frequently", "reappeared multiple times", or "kept returning". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "come back repeatedly"?

The correct form is "came back repeatedly" (past tense). "Come back repeatedly" would be used in a hypothetical or conditional context, such as, "If they "come back repeatedly", we'll need to address the issue."

What is the difference between "came back repeatedly" and "returned frequently"?

"Came back repeatedly" emphasizes the action of returning multiple times, while "returned frequently" focuses on the frequency of the return. The difference is subtle, but "came back repeatedly" can imply more effort or determination.