going back and forth between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going back and forth between" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which two or more people are exchanging ideas or engaging in a debate where both sides are making positive and negative points in an effort to come to a resolution. For example: The team was going back and forth between several different ideas before finally agreeing on a plan of action.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Others are obviously just going back and forth between classes.

The New Yorker

The backyard is just going back and forth between walls.

The New York Times - Magazine

He starts an affair with her, going back and forth between the two women.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Zamora seemed ambivalent, going back and forth between annoyance and resignation.

The New York Times

"Apparently it's been going back and forth between the school and neighborhood," he said.

The New York Times

And going back and forth between formats is still a pain in the neck.

The New York Times - Tech

But why were these emails going back and forth between State and foundation staff at all?

The Washington Post

It showed two Zambonis going back and forth between periods of a women's hockey game.

The New York Times - Sports

Now there are "notices going back and forth" between the two sides, he added.

The New York Times

Sischy was like a doctor going back and forth between patients in cubicles.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I think he liked that slippage," Norris says, "of going back-and-forth between of seriousness and the whimsy.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "going back and forth between", ensure the context clearly defines the two or more entities being alternated. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "going back and forth between" without explicitly stating what the subjects are. For example, instead of saying "They were going back and forth between ideas", specify "They were going back and forth between the marketing strategy and the sales projections".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going back and forth between" functions as a prepositional phrase often used to describe a process of alternating or oscillating between two or more options, locations, or states. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going back and forth between" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that describes alternating movements, ideas, or states. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across different registers, especially in news and media. Related phrases include "alternating between" and "shifting between", offering similar but nuanced meanings. A best practice is to ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being alternated. While the phrase is generally acceptable, paying attention to specific contexts ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternating between

Emphasizes the sequential nature of switching between options.

switching between

Highlights a change from one thing to another.

oscillating between

Suggests a rhythmic or cyclical movement between two points.

vacillating between

Implies indecision or wavering between choices.

fluctuating between

Indicates irregular variations between different levels or states.

shifting between

Focuses on a change in position or focus between options.

juggling between

Suggests managing multiple tasks or responsibilities at the same time.

ping-ponging between

Informal term suggesting a rapid back-and-forth movement.

seesawing between

Implies an unstable or unbalanced movement between two states.

commuting between

Focuses on traveling regularly between two locations.

FAQs

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

You can use "going back and forth between" to describe alternating between two or more things, such as "The conversation was going back and forth between serious discussion and lighthearted banter".

What's a more formal alternative to "going back and forth between"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "alternating between" or "shifting between", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "going back and forth among" instead of "going back and forth between"?

While "between" typically refers to two items, and "among" refers to three or more, "going back and forth between" is commonly used even when more than two entities are involved, especially in informal contexts. For strict correctness with multiple entities, consider "going back and forth among".

How does "going back and forth between" differ from "changing between"?

"Going back and forth between" implies a repeated action or oscillation, while "changing between" simply suggests a transition from one state to another without necessarily implying a return to the original state.