go back further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go back further" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that you or someone else is exploring or researching and needs to look more deeply into an issue or topic. For example, "We don't seem to be getting any closer to an answer. Maybe we should go back further and investigate some other sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The song's origins go back further still.

The New Yorker

But the data actually go back further.

The Washington Post

But Cadbury's problems go back further.

The Guardian - Business

But they must go back further.

The New York Times

A lot of them go back further than you think.

Independent

Go back further, of course, and you'll find the drawings.

The New Yorker

But in the United States, the figures go back further.

The Guardian - Opinion

The roots go back further than Kings Of Convenience.

The Guardian - Music

But perhaps you would like to go back further.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, questions about political pressure on behalf of ShoreBank go back further than last week.

The New York Times

Go back further and you reach 1877, the year Edison invented his phonograph cylinder.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go back further" when you want to indicate that the current scope of investigation or analysis is not sufficient, and a deeper historical perspective is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "go back further" when discussing future events. This phrase is exclusively for referring to past events or periods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go back further" functions as a directive, urging a deeper exploration or a more extensive historical review of a topic or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and grammatically sound construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go back further" is a common and grammatically correct way to suggest a more in-depth or historical analysis of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in academic and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "look further back" or "delve into the past" depending on the situation. It's a directive phrase that extends the scope of inquiry, providing a broader, more complete understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look further back

Emphasizes the act of looking or searching in the past.

trace back further

Highlights tracing origins or history to an earlier point.

delve into the past

Focuses on investigating past events more generally.

consider earlier times

Focuses on thinking about or taking into account earlier moments.

research prior events

Highlights the act of researching events that happened before the current focus.

investigate earlier periods

Specifies the investigation of periods in the past.

revisit earlier stages

Implies returning to and considering earlier phases or steps.

extend the timeline

Suggests making a timeline longer by including older events.

examine historical precedents

Centers on examining events or actions that serve as examples for later situations.

explore ancient history

Directs the focus to history of the ancient world.

FAQs

How can I use "go back further" in a sentence?

You can use "go back further" to suggest exploring a topic or issue in more depth, such as, "To understand the company's current challenges, we need to "go back further" in its history".

What's a good alternative to "go back further"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "look further back", "delve into the past", or "trace back further".

When is it appropriate to use "go back further" in academic writing?

In academic writing, "go back further" is appropriate when you need to establish a historical context or trace the development of an idea, theory, or phenomenon. For example, "The roots of this philosophical concept "go back further" than previously thought".

Is "go back further" suitable for formal business communication?

Yes, "go back further" can be used in formal business communication when discussing historical trends, market analyses, or company performance. However, ensure the tone remains professional and the context is clear. For instance, "To understand the current market volatility, we must "go back further" in our economic analysis".