come back around

USAGE SUMMARY

"come back around" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, but generally means that something or someone has returned or circled back to a previous point or situation. It can also express the idea of repetition or a cycle. Example: "After traveling the world for years, John decided it was time to come back around to his hometown and settle down." "The seasons always come back around, reminding us of the passage of time." "I have a feeling that this issue will come back around in the future, so let's address it now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Maybe it's come back around?" he says.

The Guardian

"It's going to come back around," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's wonderfully ironic that that whole thing has come back around".

The New York Times

He never modified himself, and later on the world would come back around".

Independent

And like all of fashion, if you wait long enough, it'll come back around again".

The New York Times - Food

"If not for the Olympics, I would probably have come back around now.

The New York Times - Sports

It  was a form of education that was very popular years ago and now it's come back around".

Independent

And then we come back around, like spring swallows or chain letters, to the places where we began.

The New York Times

But more often than not writers are loath to criticize their colleagues, lest it come back around to them.

The New York Times - Books

Eventually, all discussions of the role that musical theater plays in this come back around to Ms. O'Donnell.

The New York Times - Arts

Somebody, somewhere once said that if you stand still long enough, you will come back around into fashion again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come back around" to suggest cyclical patterns, renewed interest, or the eventual return of something previously out of favor. For example, "Fashion trends always "come back around" after a few decades."

Common error

Avoid using "come back around" when referring to a one-time event or a linear progression. This phrase is best suited for situations that involve repetition or a recurring pattern. For example, don't say "He will "come back around" to the store tomorrow" if it's a first time visit; instead, use 'return'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "come back around" is as a phrasal verb. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, indicating a return or recurrence. Ludwig's examples show it used in various contexts, from fashion trends to revisiting topics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "come back around" is a versatile expression denoting a return, recurrence, or cyclical pattern. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It functions as the predicate of a sentence and is frequently found in news and media sources. While it maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for various contexts, including informal ones. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "return" or "recur" might be more suitable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase "come back around" is widely used to convey the idea of something revisiting or reappearing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come full circle

Represents the completion of a cycle or process, suggesting a return to the initial state or situation.

turn full circle

Highlights the completion of a cycle, returning to the original starting point.

circle back

Suggests a return to a topic or point of discussion, often after a detour.

return

Indicates a physical or metaphorical act of coming back to a place, condition, or topic.

revert

Implies a return to a previous state, condition, or practice; focuses on the state being restored.

get back to

Focuses on revisiting a task, topic, or person after an interruption.

reemerge

Highlights a reappearance after a period of absence or obscurity.

resurface

Implies a return to visibility or prominence, often after being hidden or forgotten.

make a comeback

Emphasizes a return to popularity or success after a decline.

swing back

Suggests a pendulum-like motion, returning to a previous position or condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "come back around" to describe something returning after a period of absence, such as "Bell-bottom jeans always "come back around" eventually" or to indicate revisiting a topic, like "We'll "come back around" to that issue later in the meeting".

What does "come back around" mean?

"Come back around" typically means to return, either literally to a place or figuratively to a topic, trend, or situation. It often implies a cyclical nature or a recurring event.

What are some alternatives to "come back around"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "return", "circle back", or "reemerge". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "come back around" formal or informal?

"Come back around" is generally considered an informal expression. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "revert" or "recur".