cycle back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cycle back and forth" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is usually used to describe a repetitive situation where someone or something moves between two locations. For example, "The teacher cycled back and forth between the school office and classrooms all day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Now her brothers-in-law and other male relatives cycle back and forth between this camp and the northern Syrian countryside — fighting there, resting here.

The New York Times

There's a hot tub in the garden and a bus stop right outside (it takes about 15 minutes to reach the town centre) or bring a bike and cycle back and forth on the off-road Bristol and Bath Railway path.

The Guardian - Travel

The forward and reverse water gas-shift (water gas-shiftover 2%Pt/CeO2 catalyst are studied under steady-state conditions using a procedure WGS -reactionsadjusting feed gas concentrations to cycle back and forth across the equilibrium line.

Chemical Engineering Science

The pumps returned to the membrane when the inhibitor was removed, leading the researchers to conclude that efflux pumps cycle back and forth between the cell membrane and the cell's interior.

Science Magazine

7. Build the highway: NASA and its partners can build large evolvable, modular spaceships with artificial gravity to cycle back and forth to Mars (ISS and Bigelow modules come to mind).

Huffington Post

A trickier but more believable hypothesis is that solvent molecules cycle back and forth between the ambient solvent and the clusters.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Air does not exit the mouth; rather, it cycles back and forth between the buccal cavity and lungs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Over the years, as business has cycled back and forth between good and bad, new luxury suites have been added to attract travelers and the original steam power plant has been replaced with diesel-electric engines.

The New York Times - Arts

Over its 80-year history, country music has cycled back and forth between styles, reinventing itself by looking either to the past or to outside influences, like rock, pop or soul music.

The New York Times - Arts

It was demonstrated that the Co3Mo3N/Co6Mo6N system can be cycled back and forth.

Applied Petrochemical Research

Two selection primers were designed for plasmid pGEMZ such way that subsequent mutatagenesis cycles switch back-and forth between MluI and AgeI sites.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cycle back and forth", ensure the context clearly indicates the two points or states between which the movement or alternation is occurring. For example, "The negotiations cycled back and forth between progress and setbacks."

Common error

While "cycle back and forth" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "alternate between" or "oscillate between" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cycle back and forth" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to describe a process or action involving repeated movement or fluctuation between two states or locations. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples showing its use in various contexts, from physical movements to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cycle back and forth" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes a repetitive movement or alternation between two states, places, or conditions. While not exceedingly common, with Ludwig showing a moderate number of examples, its use is supported by authoritative sources like The New York Times and Science Magazine. The phrase can appear in neutral and scientific contexts, serving to emphasize the recurring nature of the described action or process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. To avoid repetition, consider synonyms like "alternate between" or "oscillate between" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternate between

Focuses on the alternation aspect more directly, less emphasis on physical movement.

oscillate between

Implies a regular and rhythmic movement between two points or states.

move to and fro

Emphasizes the physical movement in opposite directions.

shuttle between

Suggests a regular transportation or movement between two locations.

flip-flop between

Implies a rapid and often unpredictable change between two options or states.

seesaw between

Similar to flip-flop, but often implies an imbalance or struggle between two options.

yo-yo between

Suggests an up and down movement, similar to a yo-yo.

alternate regularly

Highlights the recurring changes.

travel round-trip

Emphasizes completing the entire cycle.

go to and return

Simplifies the movement to basic in-and-out action.

FAQs

What does "cycle back and forth" mean?

The phrase "cycle back and forth" means to move or alternate repeatedly between two different states, positions, or locations. It implies a recurring pattern of going in one direction and then returning.

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

You can use "cycle back and forth" to describe situations where something or someone repeatedly moves between two points, such as "The pendulum "oscillated back and forth"" or "The negotiations "alternated back and forth" between progress and setbacks."

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

Some alternatives to "cycle back and forth" include "alternate between", "move to and fro", "oscillate between", and "shuttle between". The best alternative depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "cycle back and forth"?

While the word "cycle" already implies a return, the addition of "back and forth" can sometimes emphasize the repeated nature of the movement or alternation, adding clarity in certain contexts. However, in some cases, using just "cycle" might be sufficient.