got back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got back" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is commonly used as a verb phrase, indicating the return of someone or something to a previous location or state. Example: After a long day at work, I finally got back home to relax. In this sentence, "got back" indicates the return of the speaker to their home after being away for work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We got back yesterday.

The New York Times

He got back nothing.

The New Yorker

They got back to work.

The New Yorker

PG: You got back together?

The New York Times

I got back involved".

The Guardian

She got back quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

She just got back".

The New Yorker

I just got back".

The New York Times - Magazine

They got back together.

The New Yorker

Some never got back.

The Guardian - Money

They usually got back to him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got back" to indicate a return to a physical location, a previous state, or a relationship. Ensure the context clearly specifies what is being returned to.

Common error

Avoid using "got back" when you should be using other tenses such as "get back" (future), "getting back" (present continuous), or "gets back" (present simple) depending on the context and intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "got back" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "get" with the adverb "back" to create a new meaning, indicating a return to a previous state, location, or activity. Ludwig confirms this common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got back" is a versatile and very common phrasal verb used to indicate a return to a previous state, location, or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage, spanning from news articles to casual conversations. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the specific context to ensure appropriate tense usage and to choose more formal alternatives like "returned" when necessary. The phrase sees frequent use in "News & Media", showcasing its real-world applicability and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returned

A more formal and direct synonym for "got back", indicating a simple return.

came back

Similar to "got back" but emphasizes the action of coming rather than the state of being back.

went back

Implies a journey or process of returning.

reappeared

Suggests a return after an absence that was noticeable or unexpected.

recovered

Indicates a return to a healthy or stable state after a setback.

reunited

Specifically refers to people coming back together after a separation.

resumed

Implies a return to an activity or task after an interruption.

back in action

Suggests a return to activity, often after a period of inactivity or recovery.

made a comeback

Indicates a return to popularity or success after a period of decline.

rallied

Describes a return to form, often in a competitive or challenging situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "got back" to describe returning to a place (e.g., "I got back home late"), resuming an activity (e.g., "He got back to work"), or re-establishing a relationship (e.g., "They got back together").

What are some alternatives to using "got back"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "returned", "came back", or "went back".

Is "got back" formal or informal?

"Got back" is generally considered informal and suitable for everyday conversation and writing. For more formal contexts, "returned" might be a better choice.

What's the difference between "got back" and "gets back"?

"Got back" is the past tense, used to describe something that has already happened. "Gets back" is the present tense, used to describe a habitual action or a general truth. For example, "He gets back to me every time".