definitely going backwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely going backwards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or progress that is regressing or deteriorating rather than improving. Example: "The company's recent decisions are definitely going backwards in terms of innovation and growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We are definitely going backwards in our thoughts into how our bodies actually take care of us.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I'll definitely go back.

The New York Times - Sports

"It does look like a meteor, but that white dot going backwards is definitely not normal," said Maccabee, whose long career at the Naval Surface Warfare Center included optical data processing and various aspects of the Strategic Defense Initiative.

Huffington Post

One thing we definitely need to do is make sure we're not going backwards.

HuffPost

Others are going backwards.

The Economist

We keep going backwards".

The New York Times

"He keeps going backwards".

The New York Times

"Everything is going backwards".

The Guardian

"That is going backwards".

The New York Times

Are we going backwards?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We are not going backwards.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely going backwards" to describe situations where there is a clear regression or decline from a previous state. For instance, "The project's progress is "definitely going backwards" due to recent setbacks."

Common error

Avoid using "definitely going backwards" in sensitive situations or when a more nuanced, diplomatic tone is needed. Consider using milder alternatives like "not progressing as expected" or "facing challenges" to avoid sounding overly negative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely going backwards" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the direction and certainty of a process or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it describes something that is regressing. Examples show this in varied contexts, such as personal bodies, businesses, or wider society.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "definitely going backwards" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies regression or deterioration. According to Ludwig AI, it is accurate and helpful for describing worsening situations. While its frequency is uncommon, it is most often found in news and media contexts, indicating its utility in reporting negative trends. Alternative phrases such as "certainly regressing" or "undoubtedly declining" can be used for variety or when a more formal tone is required. When writing, be mindful of the context and audience to ensure the phrase's directness is appropriate. Overall, "definitely going backwards" is a clear and effective way to communicate that something is not progressing as expected and is instead declining.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly regressing

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly" and "going backwards" with "regressing", emphasizing the decline.

undoubtedly declining

Uses "undoubtedly" to strengthen the certainty and "declining" to indicate a downward trend.

clearly deteriorating

Substitutes "definitely" with "clearly" and "going backwards" with "deteriorating", highlighting worsening conditions.

unquestionably worsening

Employs "unquestionably" to denote certainty and "worsening" to denote an increase in severity.

absolutely receding

Replaces "definitely" with "absolutely" and "going backwards" with "receding", indicating moving away or diminishing.

plainly devolving

Uses "plainly" to express clarity and "devolving" to suggest a decline to a lower state.

positively backsliding

Replaces "definitely" with "positively" and "going backwards" with "backsliding", indicating a relapse or regression.

assuredly worsening

Substitutes "definitely" with "assuredly" and "going backwards" with "worsening", highlighting a negative change.

irrefutably slipping

Employs "irrefutably" to denote certainty and "slipping" to suggest a decline from a previous state.

indisputably retrogressing

Replaces "definitely" with "indisputably" and "going backwards" with "retrogressing", indicating a return to an earlier, worse condition.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "definitely going backwards"?

It means that the situation or progress is regressing or deteriorating rather than improving. It indicates a clear decline from a previous state.

What are some alternatives to saying "definitely going backwards"?

You can use alternatives like "certainly regressing", "undoubtedly declining", or "clearly deteriorating" to convey a similar meaning.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "definitely going backwards"?

The phrase is suitable in contexts where you want to emphasize a clear regression or decline. However, it's important to consider the tone and audience, as it can sound negative.

Is "definitely going backwards" a formal or informal expression?

It leans towards a neutral to informal register, so it's best to use it in contexts where a direct and somewhat assertive tone is acceptable. In formal settings, consider using more nuanced or diplomatic alternatives.