has been returning to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been returning to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a repeated action or a trend of returning to a particular state or place over a period of time. Example: "She has been returning to her hometown every summer for the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

And there is another reason he has been returning to Sardi's for roughly 77 years.

The New York Times

Like an accident victim coming out of a coma, the city has been returning to life.

The New York Times

Church's has been returning to those markets over the last five years.

The New York Times

We've missed you, Gilou … It is not just Gilou who has been returning to old habits.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In recent years, thirties-style conservative judicial activism, targeting federal legislation, has been returning to the Court.

The New Yorker

For eight years, Dr. Pringle, 42, has been returning to this cemetery each fall, to measure, sketch and scrutinize the lichens, which belong to the genus Xanthoparmelia.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

None of the money has been returned to the communituy.

Stanford University

Allan Simonsen's body has been returned to his family.

The Guardian - Sport

The key has been returned to its original owner.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Agca has been returned to prison in Turkey.

The New York Times

"The soldier has been returned to a coalition-controlled area".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been returning to" to describe a recurring action or a pattern of going back to a specific place, idea, or state. For example, "The company has been returning to its original business model after experimenting with new ventures."

Common error

Avoid using "has been returning to" when describing a one-time return. Instead, use a simple past tense verb like "returned to" or "went back to" for single occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been returning to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous or repeated action of going back to something. Ludwig examples show usage in diverse contexts, from personal habits to broader societal trends, which suggests its flexibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been returning to" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a recurring action or trend of going back to something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Its prevalence in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, demonstrates its adaptability across various registers. While alternatives like "has been going back to" and "has reverted to" exist, "has been returning to" provides a clear and concise way to indicate a repeated return.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been going back to

Focuses on the physical act of going back, similar to returning.

has been coming back to

Emphasizes the action of coming back, implying a cyclical movement.

has reverted to

Highlights a return to a previous state or condition.

has relapsed into

Indicates a negative return to a less desirable state.

has revisited

Implies a deliberate return to a topic or place for further consideration.

has resumed

Suggests a restart or continuation of something that was previously stopped.

has been drawn back to

Highlights an irresistible return, as if under a spell.

has gravitated back to

Implies a natural or inherent tendency to return.

has found its way back to

Emphasizes that there was a way of return, implies that could have not happened.

has echoed back to

Highlights the way something that happened earlier is happening again, like an echo.

FAQs

How can I use "has been returning to" in a sentence?

Use "has been returning to" to describe a repeated action of going back to something. For example: "She "has been returning to" her hometown every summer."

What are some alternatives to "has been returning to"?

You can use alternatives like "has been going back to", "has been coming back to", or "has reverted to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has been return to" instead of "has been returning to"?

No, "has been return to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""has been returning to"", which uses the present continuous tense of the verb 'return'.

What is the difference between "has been returning to" and "returned to"?

"Has been returning to" indicates a repeated or ongoing action of returning, while "returned to" indicates a single, completed action in the past.