coming back to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coming back to" is correct and usable in written English.
It implies the idea of returning to a previously discussed topic or point. For example, "Coming back to the main issue, what should we do next?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm coming back to play.

The New York Times - Sports

The president kept coming back to him.

The New York Times

"My serve is coming back to me.

The New York Times

They all kept coming back to food.

The New Yorker

But it's coming back to me".

The New York Times - Sports

Drillers are coming back to British waters.

The Economist

"We kept coming back to Kirkman".

The New York Times

Girardi coming back to Yanks?

The New York Times - Sports

It's coming back to her".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"He's planning on coming back to Idaho.

The New York Times

Your father's not coming back to you.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "coming back to" a topic, briefly summarize the key points already covered to refresh the reader's memory and provide context for the subsequent discussion.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "coming back to" in close succession. Vary your transitional phrases with alternatives like "returning to" or "referring back to" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming back to" functions as a prepositional phrase used to transition back to a previously mentioned topic. Ludwig examples show its versatility in various contexts, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coming back to" is a versatile and correct prepositional phrase that signals a return to a prior topic, argument, or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While highly common, avoid overuse by considering alternatives like "returning to" or "revisiting". By mastering its proper usage and potential pitfalls, you can enhance clarity and coherence in your writing and conversation. Remember to briefly summarize previous points when "coming back to" a topic to ensure your audience stays engaged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returning to

Implies a physical or metaphorical return to a place or subject; slightly more formal.

revisiting

Focuses on the act of going over something again, often for review or reconsideration.

referring back to

Highlights the act of specifically mentioning something previously stated.

reverting to

Suggests a return to a previous state, often undesirable.

getting back to

More informal way of indicating a return to a topic or task.

remembering

Emphasizes the act of recalling something from the past; focuses on memory.

thinking back to

Focuses on reflecting on a past event or idea.

recalling

Similar to remembering, but can also refer to officially withdrawing something.

answering

Suggests the act of providing a response to something specific, possibly a question.

addressing

Indicates the act of dealing with a question or problem.

FAQs

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

"Coming back to" is used to signal a return to a previous topic or point in a conversation or piece of writing. For example, "Coming back to our original plan, what are our next steps?"

What phrases are similar to "coming back to"?

Similar phrases include "returning to", "revisiting", "referring back to", or "getting back to", each with slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "coming back to" in formal writing?

While "coming back to" is generally acceptable, in highly formal writing, consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "returning to" or "reverting to" to maintain a formal tone.

What's the difference between "coming back to" and "going back to"?

"Coming back to" usually implies a return to a topic or idea previously discussed or considered, while "going back to" often refers to a physical return to a place or a return to a previous state or activity. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a concept or a physical action.