come back to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'come back to' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to emphasize the return to an earlier subject or topic. For example, "We discussed the logistics of the project, and now I'd like to come back to the timeline for completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Come back to us.

Independent

Come back to me.

The New Yorker

"Come Back to Sorrento".

The New York Times

I'll come back to this.

The New York Times

I'll come back to that.

The Guardian

We'll come back to those.

The New York Times - Arts

We'll come back to that.

The New York Times

Please come back to school.

The New York Times

To come back to Yemen?

The New Yorker

Let's come back to Iraq.

The New Yorker

"We had to come back to work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come back to" to signal a deliberate return to a previously mentioned topic, ensuring clarity and coherence in your writing. For example, "Let's discuss the budget, but we'll come back to the marketing strategy later."

Common error

Avoid using "come back to" excessively without a clear indication of what you are returning to. Always provide sufficient context to remind the reader of the original point, preventing confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come back to" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It indicates a return to a previous state, place, or topic. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used to signal a deliberate return to a subject previously discussed, aligning with its function of revisiting something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come back to" functions as a phrasal verb used to indicate a return to a previous topic, place, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Its frequency of use is very common, particularly in news and media, wiki articles, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing context and avoiding overuse without clear references. Consider alternatives like "return to", "revisit", or "get back to" for variety and precision. "Come back to" serves as a versatile tool for guiding readers or listeners through a discussion or narrative, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to

A direct and straightforward alternative, indicating a physical or metaphorical return.

go back to

Similar to "return to", but often implies a physical movement or action.

revisit

Specifically refers to returning to a topic or idea for further consideration.

get back to

Implies a return to a task or subject, often after dealing with something else.

resume

Suggests restarting an activity or discussion after an interruption.

circle back to

Commonly used in business settings to denote a return to a topic at a later time.

revert to

Implies a return to a previous state, behavior, or topic, often suggesting a less desirable or less developed condition.

address again

Focuses on returning to a specific issue or point that needs further attention.

pick up where we left off

Indicates a continuation of a previous conversation or activity from the point of interruption.

reconsider

Implies a return to a thought process or decision for further evaluation.

FAQs

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

You can use "come back to" to indicate a return to a previous topic or location. For example, "We'll discuss the main points now, and "come back to" the details later" or "I'll "come back to" visit you next year".

What are some alternatives to "come back to"?

Some alternatives include "return to", "revisit", "get back to", or "revert to", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "return to" or "come back to"?

"Return to" is generally more formal, while ""come back to"" is more conversational. The best choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing or speech.

What's the difference between "go back to" and "come back to"?

"Go back to" often implies a physical return or repetition of an action, while ""come back to"" can also refer to revisiting a topic or idea. For example, "I need to go back to the store" versus "We'll "come back to" that point later".