gone back and forth between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gone back and forth between" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is indecisive or has changed their mind multiple times regarding two or more options. Example: "She has gone back and forth between accepting the job offer and staying at her current position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

He has gone back and forth between wearing one glove and no glove.

The New York Times

She's gone back and forth between pop and the jazz-to-blues tradition of Etta Jones and Jimmy Scott.

The New York Times - Arts

I've gone back and forth between the two, but for ease, lack of mess and more-flexible timing, I've come to prefer the food processor.

The New York Times - Food

Negotiations over the timing of elections have gone back and forth between the ruling party and the opposition coalition since the spring.

The Guardian - Opinion

For the last 10 years, I've gone back and forth between Montreal and Toronto for work every week, so this is much more preferable to a hotel room.

The New York Times

He has been upfront about the lack of time and attention he can give to reading, and he has gone back and forth between publicly declaring his love of reading but also telling the world he does not read much.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 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

You could go back-and-forth between diapers and underpants, but this can get confusing for your toddler.

WikiHow

Others are obviously just going back and forth between classes.

The New Yorker

The plate went back and forth between them.

The Washington Post

Gavin goes back and forth between guilt and aggression.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gone back and forth between" to clearly indicate indecision or alternation between two or more distinct options, enhancing clarity and preventing misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid overuse by considering synonyms such as "alternated between" or "wavered between". Varying your language maintains reader engagement and avoids monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gone back and forth between" functions as a prepositional phrase within a sentence, typically modifying a verb or noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates fluctuation or indecision between two or more options.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

18%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gone back and forth between" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe alternating decisions or actions between two or more options. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to indicate fluctuation or indecision. The phrase is versatile, appearing in various contexts like News & Media and Academia. To enhance your writing, remember that while acceptable and widely understood, varying your vocabulary can improve readability. Consider using synonyms like "wavered between" or "alternated between" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wavered between

Implies a hesitation or fluctuation between choices, often due to uncertainty.

alternated between

Suggests a regular switching between two or more options.

oscillated between

Emphasizes a rhythmic or pendulum-like movement between different states or options.

fluctuated between

Highlights the irregular rise and fall or variation between different choices.

shifted between

Indicates a change or movement from one option to another.

switched between

Focuses on the act of changing from one option to another, often rapidly.

yo-yoed between

Implies an up-and-down movement, like a yo-yo, between two options.

seesawed between

Suggests an alternating rise and fall between two options.

vacillated between

Highlights the indecisiveness and wavering nature of the choice.

teetered between

Indicates an unstable or precarious state, leaning towards one option then the other.

FAQs

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

This phrase is used to describe alternating decisions or actions between two or more options. For example, "She has gone back and forth between accepting the job offer and staying at her current position".

What are some alternatives to "gone back and forth between"?

You can use phrases like "wavered between", "alternated between", or "oscillated between" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "between" typically refers to two options, "among" refers to three or more. If there are more than two options, "gone back and forth among" might be more appropriate, but "between" can still be used to emphasize the alternating nature between any two of the options.

What's the difference between "gone back and forth between" and simply "alternated"?

"Gone back and forth between" emphasizes the repeated changes or indecision between options, whereas "alternated" simply indicates a regular or repeated change between things.