passage back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passage back and forth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe movement or communication that occurs repeatedly in two directions, often in the context of discussions or exchanges. Example: "The negotiation involved a passage back and forth of ideas until both parties reached an agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And with each passage back and forth between the two, the memory of the previous experience enriches the transit.

The New York Times - Arts

The escapade cemented Mr. Keligov's reputation in Moscow as an Ingush who would take a harder line against Chechen rebels operating here, refusing to allow them passage back and forth across a porous border.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She and the cousin tried to decipher it like one might a code, reading passages back and forth.

The New York Times

So, marriages are made of lust, laughter and loyalty - but the three have to be kept in constant passage, transitively, back and forth, so that as one subsides for a time, the others rise.

BBC

In the wondrous slow movement, they were like jazz musicians in the back-and-forth passages.

Los Angeles Times

Even if the motor domain fails to bind strongly on first passage, it swings back and forth between the transient state and the desired actin site until tight binding can occur.

eLife

The back-and-forth continues for weeks.

The New York Times

There is back-and-forth on this.

Science Magazine

It's a back-and-forth conversation.

Los Angeles Times

Even his writing style has a rhythm to it: passages move rapidly back and forth between incident and impression, creating a kind of (I'm not kidding) rock 'n' roll.

The New York Times - Books

Traffic noise from the structure made conversation close to impossible (although, since the freeway made the free passage of the populace back and forth so unpleasant, conversation on the empty streets below it was simply non-existent).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "passage back and forth", ensure the context clearly indicates a two-directional movement or exchange. For example, describe the specific entities or items involved in the reciprocal action.

Common error

Avoid using "passage back and forth" when only one direction of movement or exchange is intended. The phrase inherently implies a reciprocal action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passage back and forth" functions as a noun phrase describing a reciprocal movement or exchange. Ludwig shows examples where it refers to the transit between places or the exchange of ideas. The phrase emphasizes the two-directional aspect of the action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passage back and forth" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a reciprocal movement or exchange, such as the transit between two locations or the exchange of ideas, as indicated by Ludwig. Though the phrase is considered correct, it is not very commonly used. According to the sources analyzed by Ludwig, the phrase appears more frequently in news and media contexts compared to scientific or academic writing. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the context emphasizes the two-directional movement to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to and fro movement

A more descriptive term for movement in both directions

coming and going

Describes movement in both directions, often implying a casual or frequent occurrence.

return passage

Focuses on the act of returning along a route

reciprocal transit

Emphasizes the mutual nature of the movement or transfer, but is more concise.

alternating flow

Focuses on the flowing nature of something moving in alternating directions.

interchange

Emphasizes the exchange or swapping of items or ideas.

two-way exchange

Focuses on the exchange aspect rather than physical movement.

mutual transfer

Highlights the act of transferring something between two entities.

round trip

Highlights a journey to a place and return, emphasizing the completion of the movement.

shuttle service

Implies a regular and repeated movement between two points.

FAQs

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

You can use "passage back and forth" to describe a situation where something or someone is moving or being exchanged in two directions, such as "The negotiation involved a "passage back and forth" of ideas until both parties reached an agreement."

What are some alternatives to "passage back and forth"?

Some alternatives include "reciprocal transit", "two-way exchange", or "to and fro movement", depending on the specific context.

Is "passage back and forth" formal or informal?

"Passage back and forth" is generally considered neutral in formality and is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, using simpler alternatives like "coming and going" may be better in informal settings.

What does "passage back and forth" imply?

"Passage back and forth" implies a two-directional movement or exchange. It suggests that something is not just moving in one direction but is also returning or being reciprocated.