harkens back to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harkens back to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is reminiscent of or refers to an earlier time or event. Example: "The design of the new smartphone harkens back to the classic models of the 1990s, evoking a sense of nostalgia among users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It harkens back to this extraordinary intervention".

The New York Times

CrowdSurfing's reason for being also harkens back to its name.

The Guardian - Music

ReCore's platforming gameplay harkens back to the GameCube era.

The Guardian - Tech

whose nasal, machine-gun style harkens back to the heyday of lyric-driven rap.

The New Yorker

Indeed, the lovers often show a childlike innocence that harkens back to that scene.

The New York Times - Arts

It echoed an older, less libertarian conservatism, which harkens back to Washington, Tocqueville and Lincoln.

The New York Times

Mr. Coke's legal fix harkens back to a similar case involving his father, Lester Coke.

The New York Times

But Mr. Kumar nonetheless concluded that its pricing "harkens back to the late 90's boom".

The New York Times

Opponents say they are an effort toward disenfranchisement that harkens back to Alabama's painful past.

The Guardian

The course harkens back to the early character of golf, Kohler said.

The New York Times - Sports

Dressy Bessy's sassy bounce harkens back to gutsy, melodic alt-punk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harkens back to" to create a sense of nostalgia or to draw parallels between past and present situations.

Common error

Avoid using "harkens back to" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your language by using synonyms like "is reminiscent of" or "calls to mind".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harkens back to" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a connection or resemblance to something in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used to draw parallels between current events and historical precedents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "harkens back to" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a connection or resemblance to something from the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, consider using synonyms like "is reminiscent of" to avoid overuse and enhance your writing's impact. The phrase invokes a sense of history and tradition, allowing writers to draw parallels between the past and present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is reminiscent of

Focuses on the quality of reminding someone of something else.

evokes memories of

Emphasizes the calling up of past memories.

calls to mind

Highlights the act of bringing something to one's awareness or memory.

is suggestive of

Indicates a hint or trace of something from the past.

bears resemblance to

Stresses the similarity in appearance or nature.

is evocative of

Focuses on the power of something to bring strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.

echoes

Implies a repetition or similarity to something previously said or done.

reminds one of

Directly points out the act of making someone remember something.

takes after

Shows similar in qualities.

harks from

Highlights the origin or source.

FAQs

What does "harkens back to" mean?

"Harkens back to" means to be reminiscent of or to refer back to something from the past. It suggests a connection or similarity to an earlier time, event, or idea.

How can I use "harkens back to" in a sentence?

You can use "harkens back to" to draw a comparison between a current situation and something from the past. For example, "The architecture of the building "is reminiscent of" the 1920s Art Deco style".

Which is correct, "harkens back to" or "harken back to"?

"Harkens back to" is correct when referring to a singular subject in the present tense. "Harken back to" is used for plural subjects or in other tenses. For example, "His ideas "evoke memories of" an earlier era".

What are some alternatives to "harkens back to"?

Some alternatives to "harkens back to" include "is reminiscent of", "calls to mind", "evokes memories of", and "is suggestive of". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.