lots of back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lots of back and forth" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is generally used to indicate a period of extended, intensive discussion or debate. For example, you might say, "The negotiations between the two sides involved lots of back and forth before they reached an agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It becomes a tennis game with lots of back and forth".

The New York Times

In fact, Mr. Tierney pointed out that the whole approval process had taken six years, with lots of back and forth, which hardly indicates preferential treatment.

The New York Times

I was delighted to have been picked for the mission: it was a murky selection process, lots of back and forth between mission command and management.

The Guardian

There's a constant exchange of information between the governor and her team — who's on top of this, lots of back and forth — and I think I'm not exaggerating to say it's 24/7.

The New York Times - Magazine

His suggestions include asking about parents' relationships (go personal), bringing up Japanese pornography (shake up the expected), and preëmptively making plans ("Hot girls HATE when men require lots of back and forth").

The New Yorker

"There's been lots of back and forth in what the government has been willing to tolerate, and I cannot rule out the possibility of them trying to bring back restrictions on the markets.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Do you see them engaged in lots of back-and-forth preverbal signaling with 8-month-olds?

The New York Times - Health

(Sure, it doesn't exactly work that way, but that's the nuance). The process for becoming a new ETF issuer or bringing new ETFs to market can take several months and lots of back-and-forth with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forbes

SPDY (pronounced "SPeeDY") added a couple of new features to HTTP, including the concepts of streams, prioritization and protocol negotiation, that made it easier and more efficient for browsers to request multiple files from the same server without lots of back-and-forth between the server and client.

TechCrunch

"There was a lot of back-and-forth between Google and us in the process.

The New Yorker

"There was a lot of back-and-forth," said a congressional official familiar with the discussion.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process with multiple revisions, use "lots of back and forth" to clearly indicate that the process involved considerable communication and adjustments.

Common error

While "lots of back and forth" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "extensive dialogue" or "iterative discussions" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lots of back and forth" functions as a noun phrase indicating a process involving repeated communication or negotiation. It describes the manner in which something was discussed or resolved, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lots of back and forth" is a phrase used to describe a situation involving considerable communication or negotiation, often iterative in nature. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, especially news and media. While generally acceptable, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives like "extensive dialogue" or "iterative discussions" in formal writing. As highlighted by Ludwig's examples, the phrase serves to convey that a process involved multiple exchanges and revisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much discussion

A more concise alternative, simply emphasizing the significant amount of discussion that took place.

repeated exchanges

Highlights the recurring nature of the communication, focusing on the act of exchanging information or ideas multiple times.

iterative discussions

Emphasizes the repeated nature of the discussions, suggesting multiple rounds of revisions and refinements.

significant interaction

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the communication, suggesting a meaningful exchange of ideas or information.

continuous communication

Highlights the uninterrupted flow of information, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the exchange.

extensive dialogue

Focuses on the detailed nature of the conversation, emphasizing the length and depth of the exchange.

ongoing debate

Emphasizes the continuous and potentially unresolved nature of the discussion, often involving differing viewpoints.

extensive correspondence

Highlights the detailed nature of the communication especially in settings of written communication.

protracted negotiations

Highlights the lengthy and often difficult nature of the discussions, especially in formal settings.

lengthy deliberations

Focuses on the careful and time-consuming consideration involved in the discussions, often in a formal or official context.

FAQs

What does "lots of back and forth" mean?

The phrase "lots of back and forth" means there was a considerable amount of discussion, negotiation, or communication between parties, often involving multiple exchanges and revisions.

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

You can say, "The project required "lots of back and forth" between the design and engineering teams to ensure all specifications were met."

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

You can use alternatives like "extensive dialogue", "iterative discussions", or "repeated exchanges" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "lots of back and forth" in formal writing?

While "lots of back and forth" is understandable, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and professional alternatives such as "protracted negotiations" or "lengthy deliberations".