changing back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "changing back and forth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is alternating or fluctuating between two states or conditions. Example: "The weather has been changing back and forth between sunny and rainy all week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The DVR makes changing back and forth between the shows completely unnecessary.

TechCrunch

Similarly, in fruit flies, changing back and forth the ambient temperature from hot to cold, animals have a similar longevity of flies kept in cold conditions (Liu and Walford 1972; Rikke and Johnson 2004), which suggest that it is not the exposure time to cold but rather physiological adaptations to it that are important.

Biogerontology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The comic play by Charles Ludlam with two actors quick-changing back and forth as they portray eight male and female roles.

The New York Times - Arts

Jumping sequences don't cover much space; instead they keep changing direction back and forth, covering the same little patch with the involuntary and insistent tone that characterizes Mr. Naharin's choreography.

The New York Times - Arts

Follow Kat on TwItter.

Vice

"He's not wishy-washy, and he's not changing, jumping back and forth on the issues depending on who's putting on the pressure". In her own case, Doerr stands for caution--or, to opponents, unfair restrictions--concerning new development.

Los Angeles Times

Furthermore, it is hard to claim previously annotated sequences to be erroneous, with annotation continuously changing, sometimes back and forth, and with the notion that different versions of an annotated miRNA sequence might just represent isomiRs.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Keep doing this habit so that you have practice of changing it back and forth once you are in a comfort zone of having a loud ring tone or alert.

WikiHow

After 20 years of changing his mind back-and-forth, he wrote a paper in the 1930s with Nathan Rosen, convinced that gravitational waves were mere mathematical artifacts of General Relativity.

Forbes

I think we should keep changing the clocks back and forth.

BBC

A committee has voted for the end of daylight savings in the European Union, meaning the practice of changing the clocks back and forth throughout the year could be a thing of the past.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, consider more specific alternatives like "alternating" or "fluctuating" if the repetitive nature is already understood.

Common error

While acceptable, "changing back and forth" can sometimes sound informal. In formal contexts, opt for more precise terms like "alternating" or "fluctuating" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "changing back and forth" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates a repetitive alternation between two states or options, similar to examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "changing back and forth" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe repetitive alternation between two states. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is important to consider the context. While acceptable in most situations, more formal or scientific settings may benefit from synonyms like "alternating" or "fluctuating" for increased precision. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. Always consider the tone and audience when choosing between "changing back and forth" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

toggling back and forth

Focuses on rapid alternation, especially in digital contexts.

alternating between

Emphasizes a sequence of changes between two or more options.

switching between

Highlights the action of changing from one thing to another and then reversing the change.

fluctuating between

Suggests irregular or unsteady variation.

oscillating between

Implies a regular, rhythmic movement between two points.

reversing course repeatedly

Indicates a series of changes in direction or approach.

shifting repeatedly

Focuses on movement or change in position or direction.

going from one extreme to the other

Highlights movement between opposite ends of a spectrum.

vacillating between

Suggests indecisiveness or hesitation between options.

trading places repeatedly

Emphasizes the reciprocal exchange of positions or roles.

FAQs

How can I use "changing back and forth" in a sentence?

You can use "changing back and forth" to describe situations where something repeatedly alternates between two states. For example, "The discussion kept changing back and forth between budget concerns and marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to "changing back and forth"?

Alternatives include "alternating between", "switching between", or "fluctuating between", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "changing back and forth"?

Yes, "changing back and forth" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe repeated alternation between two states or conditions.

What's the difference between "changing back and forth" and "toggling back and forth"?

"Changing back and forth" is a general term for alternating between two things. "Toggling back and forth" implies a more rapid or digital-like switching action, similar to flipping a switch.