checking back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "checking back and forth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of repeatedly looking at or comparing two or more things, often to ensure accuracy or consistency. Example: "While editing the document, I found myself checking back and forth between the original text and the revised version to ensure all changes were accurately made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The red tape, the checking back and forth, hiring someone to do all the paperwork -- it's been nothing but a headache," she said.

The New York Times

Her canvas is a small nugget of acrylic, and Annette Kirszrot will work on it for an hour, painting a portrait smaller than a dime, checking back and forth between her work and the person sitting a few feet away in her examining chair.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bend the check back and forth, noticing the resistance the check gives.

WikiHow

This followed a similar back-and-forth where Clinton checked her initial endorsement of the Keystone pipeline ("There's nothing wrong with taking your time; what's important is getting it right," says Clinton).

Vice

The back-and-forth continues for weeks.

The New York Times

There is back-and-forth on this.

Science Magazine

It's a back-and-forth conversation.

Los Angeles Times

I was summoned to the theatre to meet the producers, and I remember sitting there watching them walk back and forth, checking watches, not realizing that I was the person they were waiting for.

The New Yorker

For this kind of rapid back and forth, check out the Luke/Vader duel at the end of Empire Strikes Back.

The Guardian - Film

If you are concerned about what information is being sent back and forth, check the fine print in the privacy statement of your tax program to see how the company is using general information that you have supplied.

The New York Times - Tech

Check them by moving them back and forth and pound them deeper into the ground if they do not feel secure.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "checking back and forth", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being checked and the purpose of the repeated verification. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "checking back and forth" redundantly when a simpler term like "verifying" or "cross-referencing" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "checking back and forth" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes the action of repeatedly verifying something, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it refers to verifying accuracy or ensuring consistency.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "checking back and forth" is a gerund phrase used to describe an iterative verification process. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and used to emphasize repeated comparison for accuracy. Though rare in occurrence, it appears in contexts like News & Media and Wiki. While it's a useful phrase, it's advisable to use it judiciously and opt for synonyms like "cross-referencing" or "double-checking" when appropriate to avoid verbosity. Remember to use it when you want to stress the comparison aspect of the verification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

double-checking

Implies a second check to confirm the correctness of something already checked.

cross-referencing

Focuses on the act of comparing different sources or pieces of information for accuracy.

alternating between

Highlights the switching or going back and forth between two options or actions.

going to and fro

Emphasizes the movement in both directions between two points.

oscillating between

Suggests a regular and repeated movement or fluctuation between two states.

repeatedly verifying

Stresses the action of checking something multiple times to ensure its accuracy.

reviewing iteratively

Highlights a cyclical review process, improving with each pass.

shuttling back and forth

Implies frequent movement of people or goods from one place to the other.

assessing to and fro

Emphasizes the repetitive assessment from different points of view.

evaluating repeatedly

Highlights the multiple times evaluation for some stuff or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "checking back and forth" to describe the act of repeatedly verifying something. For example, "The engineer was "checking back and forth" between the blueprints and the construction site to ensure accuracy."

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

Some alternatives include "cross-referencing", "double-checking", or "repeatedly verifying", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "checking back and forth" or "cross-referencing"?

Both phrases are correct, but "cross-referencing" is often used in more formal contexts to denote comparing different sources of information. "Checking back and forth" is more general and implies a repeated verification process.

What's the difference between "checking back and forth" and "reviewing"?

"Reviewing" implies a general examination of something, while "checking back and forth" suggests a more specific and iterative process of comparing or verifying information repeatedly. So "checking back and forth" is more suitable when describing a comparison between two or more things.