fold back

USAGE SUMMARY

"fold back" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to bend or crease something in the opposite direction, often returning it to its original position. Example: She folded back the corner of the page to mark her place in the book.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's mostly thanks to the drone's folding design — the three rotors' arms can fold back and telescope for easy storage.

TechCrunch

Fold back together for a moment.

Independent

4. To serve, fold back top flaps of cheesecloth.

The New York Times - Food

They also automatically fold back into a compact size for easy handling.

The New York Times

They're just here to show face, then fold back into the history books.

The Guardian - Film

With birdies there for the taking, the field's unlikely to fold back in on itself.

The Guardian - Sport

The door will fold back to one side of the frame.

The New York Times

They were already neatly cut and she would fold back the flaps.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

However, when we further introduce the nonlinearity of graphene, the fold-back phenomenon of dispersion relation appears.

Nanoscale Research Letters

miRNA precursors have characteristic fold-back structures that can be used to predict novel miRNAs.

Plosone

The fold-back of the extended intermediate causes hemifusion.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical actions, use "fold back" to clearly indicate bending or turning something over onto itself. This is particularly useful in instructional or descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "fold back" in contexts where a simple return or reversal is meant without the physical action of bending. Opt for phrases like "revert" or "return" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "fold back" primarily functions as a dynamic verb, indicating an action of bending or turning something over onto itself. It is commonly used to describe physical manipulations, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, such as folding paper or parts of a device.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fold back" is a versatile phrasal verb that describes the action of bending or turning something over onto itself. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its usage spans from providing instructional guidance in Wiki articles to describing design features in news and science publications. While generally neutral in register, it's best to reserve its usage for contexts where a physical bending action is clearly implied, differentiating it from simpler terms like "return". This ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bend back

Focuses on the physical action of bending something in the opposite direction.

turn back

Implies a return to a previous direction or state, often used in a figurative sense.

double back

Suggests retracing one's steps or reversing direction sharply.

retract

Emphasizes the action of drawing something back or in.

bend over

Involves bending something so that one part lies over another.

flip back

Implies a quick, reversing motion.

roll back

Suggests a gradual return to a former condition or level.

turn over

Focuses on the action of rotating something to show a different side.

curl back

Describes something bending into a curved or spiral shape in reverse.

bring back

Emphasizes returning something to a previous state or location.

FAQs

How can I use "fold back" in a sentence?

You can use "fold back" to describe the action of bending something over on itself, such as "Fold back the edge of the paper before gluing it" or "The drone's rotors can "fold back" for easy storage".

What is a synonym for "fold back"?

Similar phrases to "fold back" include "bend back", "turn back", or "double back", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "fold back" the same as "folding back"?

"Fold back" is the base form of the phrasal verb, while "folding back" is the present participle form, often used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. For example, "The innovative "folding back" design allows easy storage".

When should I use "fold back" versus "turn back"?

"Fold back" is generally used when there's a physical action of bending something over itself. "Turn back" can be used more broadly to indicate a return to a previous direction or state, whether physical or metaphorical. The best choice depends on whether the action involves a literal fold.