leap back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leap back and forth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something moves or changes direction repeatedly between two points or states. Example: "The discussion seemed to leap back and forth between various topics, making it hard to follow the main argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mr. Gyngell's ability to leap back and forth between his official and unofficial selves was nimble, but also praiseworthy was the playwright's elliptical language and his almost Cubist approach to reality.

The New York Times

"What the Bleep Do We Know!?," a spaced-out concoction of quasi physics and neuroscience that appeared several years ago, promised moviegoers that they could hop between parallel universes and leap back and forth in time — if only they cast off their mental filters and experienced reality full blast.

The New York Times - Books

Benjy is mentally challenged and Faulkner chose to leap back and forth in time almost at random.

Huffington Post

Focusing on the journey of a band of mechanical animals, Mekazoo has the player leap back and forth between creatures to employ distinct abilities and overcome puzzles.

The Guardian - Tech

Some critics say children often can't differentiate the programs from the commercials and that food companies and producers of children's shows have helped blur the line by creating characters that leap back and forth, from pitchman to program character.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The plot leaps back and forth across multiple timelines as the nature of Heidi's work is revealed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It leaps back and forth in time, looking forward to the boys' adulthood and back again, nostalgically, as they grow up.

The Guardian - Books

When the cast is earthbound, this enjoyable but trivial musical generally is, too, leaping back and forth across the line between spoofery and sincerity in depicting the rituals and rivalries of school life.

The New York Times

Written in a mishmash of typefaces, its chapters alternately sprawling over 60 or 70 pages or just a couple of lines, "Imperial" leaps back and forth in time and geography like a maddened ping-pong ball.

The Economist

Ms. Rowlands's Allie is quieter and sadder, but she looks too well-preserved for a woman in her condition, and as the story leaps back and forth, the movie veers between unbleached sugar and artificial sweetener.

The New York Times

You expect to have to work a bit with a Christopher Nolan film, but this long, slow tease of a movie, leaping back and forth in time as you expect from the Memento man, left me cold.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “leap back and forth” to vividly describe rapid or unexpected transitions between two distinct states, time periods, or ideas. The phrase works best when highlighting the agility or abruptness of the change.

Common error

While “leap back and forth” can be effective, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, consider "alternating between" it with synonyms like "switch between" or "move between" to maintain variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leap back and forth" functions as a verb phrase used to describe alternating movement or transitions between two points, states, or time periods. This is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig, which often relate to narrative structures or conceptual shifts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leap back and forth" is a correct and usable idiomatic expression that describes rapid transitions or alternating movement between two states. While confirmed as valid by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider synonyms like "switch back and forth" or "alternate between" to avoid repetition. The phrase effectively conveys a dynamic and sometimes abrupt shift, making it suitable for highlighting the agility or unexpectedness of changes in narratives or concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

switch back and forth

A more common and straightforward way to express the same idea of alternating.

shift between

This emphasizes a change or transfer from one state or position to another.

alternate between

This alternative highlights the cyclical nature of switching between two options.

oscillate between

This suggests a regular, rhythmic movement or change between two points.

fluctuate between

This option emphasizes the changes or variations occurring between two states.

veer between

Implies a change in direction or tendency between two options.

move between

This phrase is more general and can apply to physical or abstract movements between two points.

yo-yo between

This conveys an image of repeatedly moving up and down, or back and forth.

seesaw between

Similar to yo-yo, this emphasizes a back-and-forth movement or indecision.

ping-pong between

This suggests a rapid and often unpredictable movement between two choices.

FAQs

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

You can use "leap back and forth" to describe movement between different states, such as, "The narrative "leaps back and forth" between the past and present."

What can I say instead of "leap back and forth"?

Alternatives include "switch back and forth", "alternate between", or "move between depending on the specific context".

Is it correct to say "leap back and forth in time"?

Yes, "leap back and forth in time" is a correct and commonly used phrase, particularly in describing narratives that shift between different time periods.

What is the difference between "leap back and forth" and "oscillate between"?

"Leap back and forth" suggests a more sudden and perhaps less predictable shift, while "oscillate between" implies a regular, rhythmic movement between two points.