not yet returned

USAGE SUMMARY

"not yet returned" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been expected, but has not arrived. For example, "The books I ordered from the library have not yet returned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Normalcy has not yet returned to Turkey.

The New Yorker

He was bummed the cable had not yet returned.

The New York Times - Sports

The newly promoted detective has not yet returned to work.

The New York Times

Ryanair has not yet returned a request for comment.

The Guardian - Business

Customs has also not yet returned the $4,000 bond.

The Washington Post

When he came out, Lindsey had not yet returned.

The New Yorker

30 mins: The storm has not yet returned.

The Guardian - Sport

Some functionality has not yet returned (Tag cloud, some other things), we are working on that.

Cornell University

Spears' publicists have not yet returned a request for comment on the leaked audio.

Independent

Staff members have not yet returned to work, Ms. Wood said.

The New York Times

But the relative said on Wednesday that Mr. Sagawa had not yet returned to Florida.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not yet returned" to indicate an expectation that something or someone will be back. It implies a temporary absence rather than a permanent loss. For example: "The package has not yet returned to the sender."

Common error

While versatile, "not yet returned" might sound slightly informal in highly formal or technical writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "remains outstanding" or "has not been reinstated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not yet returned" functions as part of a verb phrase, typically modifying an auxiliary verb like 'has' or 'have'. It indicates that an action or state (returning) has not been completed up to the present time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable application across diverse sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not yet returned" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something expected is still outstanding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it sees frequent use across diverse contexts such as news, science, and formal communication. While versatile, being mindful of the formality level is advisable. When writing, remember that it implies an expectation of return. If a more precise tone is necessary, alternatives like "remains outstanding" or "has not been reinstated" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has not returned

Omits "yet", implying the absence is simply a fact, without necessarily emphasizing anticipation.

still not back

More informal, focusing on the current state of absence.

not back as of yet

Rephrases the timing, emphasizing the present moment.

has not been restored

Focuses on the restoration aspect, suitable when something was taken away or damaged.

remains unreturned

Formal and emphasizes the state of being unreturned.

not yet back in place

Suitable when referring to something's original location or position.

yet to be received

Focuses on the act of receiving, useful when something was expected to be delivered.

has not been handed back

Emphasizes the act of giving something back.

not retrieved

Highlights that retrieval hasn't happened yet.

still outstanding

Indicates something is still pending or not completed.

FAQs

How can I use "not yet returned" in a sentence?

You can use "not yet returned" to indicate that something or someone is expected to be back but hasn't come back so far. For example: "The library book is overdue but has "not yet returned"."

What are some alternatives to "not yet returned"?

Some alternatives include "has not returned", "still not back", or "remains unreturned" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not yet returned"?

Yes, "not yet returned" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for forming negative statements with adverbs and past participles.

What is the difference between "not yet returned" and "has not returned"?

"Not yet returned" implies an expectation of return, whereas ""has not returned"" simply states the fact that something is not back without necessarily implying an expectation.