draw back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "draw back and forth" is not correct in standard English usage.
It may be intended to describe a motion or action that alternates in direction, but the phrase itself is not commonly used. Example: "The child began to draw back and forth across the page with her crayons."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Draw back and forth across the lash line with your eyeliner pencil a few times.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The two owned it jointly, trading the drawing back and forth every two years.

The New York Times - Arts

She is drawn back and forth across the stage by the arguments.

The Guardian

The visitor's attention is constantly being drawn back and forth between object and image, which is disorienting at first but gradually yields insights into the artist's working processes.

The New York Times

Resembling a bondage accessory and wrapped around her head, the mask's spike-like pencils are drawn back and forth over a vertical sheet of paper, producing a dense scribble.Ms Horn's early objets phallic horns attached to the head, curved horns extending from a woman's breasts to her mouth have a prosthetic weirdness about them that unashamedly echoes Surrealism's taste for erotic fetishism.

The Economist

Two syringes are connected through a three-way stopcock, and liquid agent and air are drawn back and forth by pumping movement.

BioMed Research International

A tremolo is a style of playing very quick, rapid sounds as the bow draws back and forth across the string.

WikiHow

You should run back and forth.

WikiHow

After a drawn out, back-and-forth legal battle, streaming music service Grooveshark has finally given in and settled with the three largest record labels in the world, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group.

Forbes

After filing, wrap the tool in emery cloth and draw it back and forth across to polish the work surface.

The New York Times

The hosts' attacking style drew England back and forth across the field and as the gaps appeared Wales edged closer and closer to the try-line.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "draw back and forth", opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "move back and forth" or "go back and forth" to avoid sounding awkward.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "draw back and forth" in formal writing. While understandable, it's not a standard English expression and may detract from your writing's clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw back and forth" functions as a verb phrase describing a reciprocal action. Although understandable, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not the most common way to express this idea. It suggests that there are clearer, more idiomatic alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "draw back and forth" is used to describe a repeated or alternating motion, but it is considered an incorrect expression in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, more common and natural-sounding alternatives exist. While understandable, its use can make your writing sound awkward or non-idiomatic. Opt for alternatives like ""move back and forth"" or ""go back and forth"" to ensure clarity and improve the overall quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move back and forth

Replaces "draw" with the more common verb "move" to describe the action.

go back and forth

Uses the verb "go" instead of "draw" for a simpler and more common expression.

shuttle back and forth

Emphasizes a regular, repeated movement between two points.

alternate between

Focuses on the act of switching between two options or states.

reciprocate

Implies a mutual action or exchange.

oscillate

Suggests a rhythmic movement around a central point.

seesaw

Implies alternating movement or fluctuation, like a seesaw.

yo-yo

Emphasizes an up-and-down or fluctuating pattern.

waver

Implies indecision or instability, moving from one state to another.

vacillate

Suggests an inability to decide between different opinions or courses of action.

FAQs

What does "draw back and forth" mean?

The phrase "draw back and forth" is not a standard idiomatic expression. It typically means to move something in alternating directions, but it's more common to use alternatives like "move back and forth" or "go back and forth".

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

While grammatically understandable, it's better to rephrase. For example, instead of "He drew the bow back and forth", say "He moved the bow "back and forth"".

Which is correct, "draw back and forth" or "move back and forth"?

"Move back and forth" is the more common and preferred phrasing. "Draw back and forth" is less conventional and can sound awkward.

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

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "move back and forth", "go back and forth", "alternate between", or "oscillate".