getting back to form

USAGE SUMMARY

"getting back to form" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone has been performing poorly, but now is starting to regain their former skill and talent. For example: "After returning from injury, the athlete is finally getting back to form and winning races again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

HSBC is getting back to form.

The New York Times

Five-set matches at Wimbledon helped convince me I'm getting back to form".

The New York Times - Sports

The Serbian has suffered a mixed season so far but appears to be getting back to form under Hiddink.

Independent

Gary Brown was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle last summer, and is just getting back to form.

The New York Times - Sports

It looked like the first of many, but injuries set in, and only now is del Potro getting back to form after missing most of the 2010 season.

The New York Times

"We're getting back to form but I think we still had a few more gears left in us.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"We're starting to get back to form," Celtics Coach Doc Rivers said.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's no doubt he's going to get back to form," O'Brien said.

The New York Times - Sports

He is playing pretty sensibly, trying to get back to form by batting time and milking singles.

The Guardian - Sport

So we tried to replicate that travel and quick turnarounds and getting the job done and being able to get back to form.

The Guardian - Sport

Other matches of note: Tommy Robredo vs. Roger Federer: The veteran Robredo has done well to get back to form after struggling with injuries over the past two years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting back to form" when you want to emphasize a process of recovery and improvement after a period of underperformance. It is particularly effective when referring to athletes, businesses, or anyone who has experienced a temporary decline in their abilities.

Common error

Avoid using "getting back to form" in situations where there was no prior established level of high performance. The phrase implies a return to a previous state, so it's not suitable for describing initial improvements or progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting back to form" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of regaining a previous level of performance or skill. As Ludwig AI points out, it is used when someone is recovering from a period of underperformance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "getting back to form" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for describing the process of regaining a previous level of skill or performance. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, particularly when discussing sports or business. When using this phrase, ensure it is applied to situations where there's a clear return to a prior state, rather than a first-time improvement. Alternatives like "returning to form" or "recovering form" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returning to form

Focuses on the action of returning, implying a process of regaining previous condition.

recovering form

Highlights the recovery aspect, suggesting an effort to regain lost performance.

regaining form

Similar to recovering, but emphasizes the act of obtaining form once again.

getting back to their best

Focuses on achieving the highest previous level of performance.

finding their rhythm

Emphasizes establishing a consistent pattern of success.

returning to their peak

Emphasizes a return to the highest point of performance or ability.

getting back on track

Highlights a return to a previously followed and successful course.

rediscovering their touch

Refers to a restoration of finesse or skill.

finding their groove

Implies discovering a comfortable and effective way of performing.

getting back into the swing of things

Indicates a return to a comfortable routine or habitual way of doing things.

FAQs

What does "getting back to form" mean?

It means returning to a previous level of skill, performance, or condition after a period of decline. It suggests a recovery process to regain former abilities.

What can I say instead of "getting back to form"?

You can use alternatives like "returning to form", "recovering form", or "regaining form" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "getting back to form" in a formal context?

Yes, it is generally acceptable in formal contexts, especially in sports reporting and business analysis, where performance metrics are commonly discussed. However, consider the specific audience and choose more formal alternatives like "recovering performance" if necessary.

How does "getting back to form" differ from "getting in shape"?

"Getting back to form" implies a return to a previously achieved state of competence or physical condition, while "getting in shape" suggests starting or improving one's physical condition from a less fit state. The former is about recovery, the latter is about initial improvement.