flip back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

'flip back and forth' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when a person or thing changes positions or opinions. For example, "The team was flipping back and forth between two strategies for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

She would flip back and forth?

The New York Times

You could flip back and forth between two pages and even study them both at once.

The New York Times - Books

"Our state is going to flip back and forth between now and November," Mr. Walker said.

The New York Times

I'm a doctor, an epidemiologist, and lots of my professional colleagues flip back and forth between industry and medical roles.

The Economist

Democrats once held the House for 40 years, but now control will likely flip back and forth with the tides.

The New York Times

Other times the testing is more anonymous, with voters given a dial that they flip back and forth to signal approval or disapproval as they watch.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

With this mouse, they can easily flip back-and-forth between a mouse than accommodates both the rightie and the left-handed mutant.

TechCrunch

The amiability flips back-and-forth between frankness as we touch on the idea of paying for Afropunk.

Vice

FORMER OBAMA BUNDLER COMMENTS ON SWITCH TO ROMNEY -- Hedge funder Kenneth Griffin has flipped back-and-forth between party support over the past few years.

Huffington Post

I was flipping back and forth.

The New York Times

Flipping back and forth between the channels demonstrates the contrast.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flip back and forth", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being alternated between. For example, "She flipped back and forth between excitement and anxiety."

Common error

Avoid using "flip back and forth" when the movement or change is unidirectional or irreversible. This phrase implies a recurring or alternating action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flip back and forth" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a repeated or alternating action or state. Ludwig confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase. The examples show its versatility in describing changes in opinions, physical movements, or choices.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flip back and forth" is a versatile and common phrasal verb used to describe alternation or oscillation between two or more options or states. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It's important to use it when describing actions that involve a recurring or alternating pattern, and to clearly define what is being alternated between. While its register is generally neutral, it appears more frequently in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "alternate between" or "switch between" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternate between

Focuses on the act of switching regularly between two things.

oscillate between

Emphasizes a regular movement like a pendulum.

switch between

Highlights a change from one thing to another and back.

vacillate between

Implies indecision and hesitation while changing between options.

move back and forth

A more literal description of physical or metaphorical movement.

yo-yo between

Describes an up-and-down movement.

see-saw between

Implies an alternating pattern.

waver between

Suggests a lack of firmness when choosing between options.

rebound between

Highlights a return to a previous state.

juggle between

Emphasizes multitasking or handling multiple options at once.

FAQs

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

Use "flip back and forth" to describe alternating actions or decisions. For example, "The conversation flipped back and forth between serious topics and lighthearted jokes."

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

You can use alternatives like "alternate between", "switch between", or "oscillate between" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "flipping back and forth" or "flip back and forth"?

Both "flipping back and forth" and "flip back and forth" can be correct, depending on the sentence structure. "Flip back and forth" often acts as the core verb phrase, while "flipping back and forth" is often used as a gerund or participial phrase.

What's the difference between "flip back and forth" and "go back and forth"?

"Flip back and forth" often implies a more rapid or abrupt alternation, whereas "go back and forth" is a more general term for repeated movement or communication between two points.