come back

USAGE SUMMARY

"come back" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "My mom told me to come back home before dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Come back.

The New York Times

Come back, come back".

The New York Times

"We'll come back tomorrow".

Independent

Come back a hero".

The New York Times

They'd probably come back.

The New York Times

Come back hard".

The New Yorker

"Come back!" she cried.

The Economist

"Come back, Carl".

The New York Times

I won't come back.

The New York Times - Sports

"He might come back.

The New Yorker

— have not come back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come back" when you want to express a return to a place, condition, or topic. Ensure the context clarifies what is returning to what.

Common error

Avoid using "come back" in highly formal writing where a more precise term like "return" or "revert" might be more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "the issue will come back", consider "the issue will recur" in a formal report.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come back" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a return to a previous place, state, or condition. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a common and versatile phrase used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come back" is a versatile phrasal verb widely used to express the idea of returning or recurring. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used. While its register is typically neutral to informal, it appears most often in news and media, as well as wiki and scientific contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "return" or "reappear". Avoid using "come back" in contexts where greater precision is needed. With numerous examples demonstrating its usage and various related phrases to enhance expression, "come back" remains a valuable part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return

A more formal and direct way of saying "come back".

get back

A more colloquial alternative, implying retrieval or return.

go back

A simpler and more literal way to express the action of returning.

make a comeback

Refers to a significant return to popularity or success after a period of decline.

revert

Implies returning to a previous state or condition.

bounce back

Implies recovering quickly from a setback or difficulty.

reappear

Focuses on the act of becoming visible again.

rally

Suggests recovering or bouncing back, often used in the context of sports or economics.

backtrack

Suggests retracing one's steps or reversing a decision.

recur

Implies happening again or returning periodically.

FAQs

How can I use "come back" in a sentence?

You can use "come back" to indicate a return to a place (e.g., "Please "come back" soon"), a condition (e.g., "I hope my health will "come back""), or a topic (e.g., "Let's "come back" to this later").

What are some alternatives to "come back"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "return", "revert", or "go back".

Is "come back" formal or informal?

"Come back" is generally considered informal to neutral. In formal contexts, words like "return" or "reappear" might be more suitable.

What does it mean when someone says they'll "come back" to something?

It typically means they will return to that topic or task at a later time. For example, "I'll "come back" to this report after lunch" suggests the person will resume working on the report later.