return to business

USAGE SUMMARY

"return to business" is a correctly usable phrase in written English.
You can use "return to business" when you are ready to switch topics in conversation or when refocusing attention on a particular task. For example, "Okay, now that we have discussed our plans for the weekend, let's return to business and talk about our next project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"We fully anticipate we'll return to business as usual tomorrow".

The New York Times

For Boardman, political defeat meant a return to business.

The Guardian

But now, management companies want to return to business as usual.

The New York Times

The banks, meanwhile, can re-group and return to business as usual.

Independent

But other signs point to a return to business as usual.

The Economist

The fear is that it will bankroll a return to business as usual.

The Economist

Lawmakers are scheduled to return to business Thursday, but no specific talks are set.

Independent

ON TUESDAY September 8th Congress and President Barack Obama return to business after their August break.

The Economist

On the other hand the movie industry was able to return to business as usual sooner.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

After Fukushima, we cannot return to business-as-usual when it comes to uranium exports.

The Guardian

"We simply cannot return to business as usual," said Obama.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "return to business" to signal a shift back to the primary subject or task after a digression or interruption.

Common error

While versatile, "return to business" can sound out of place in very informal settings. Opt for phrases like "let's get back to it" for a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "return to business" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a resumption of normal activities or a refocus on the main subject. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correctly usable, appearing frequently in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "return to business" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a resumption of normal activities or a refocus on the main topic, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is widely used in news, business, and other professional contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the setting; in highly informal situations, alternatives like "let's get back to it" may be more appropriate. The phrase's purpose is to signal a transition back to the primary subject after an interruption. There are a plethora of alternative phrases available, and context determines which best matches the intended nuance. While commonly associated with events following crises, "return to business" also denotes the conscious act of refocusing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resume operations

Focuses on the act of starting business activities again, often after a temporary halt.

resume normal activities

Similar to "resume operations" but can apply to a broader range of activities beyond just business.

get back to work

Implies a shift in focus back to the task at hand after a break or distraction.

reopen for business

Specifically refers to the act of making a business available to customers again.

recommence activities

A more formal way of saying 'start again', typically used in official or business settings.

re-establish operations

Stresses the rebuilding or strengthening of business activities.

restore normalcy

Highlights the restoration of a regular or expected state of affairs.

pick up where we left off

Suggests continuing from a specific point that was previously interrupted.

get back on track

Emphasizes regaining progress or momentum after a setback.

return to the status quo

Emphasizes a return to the existing state of affairs before a change or disruption.

FAQs

How can I use "return to business" in a sentence?

You can use "return to business" to indicate a resumption of normal activities or a refocus on the main topic, as in "After the brief interruption, we need to "return to business" and finalize the report".

What's a less formal alternative to "return to business"?

If you're aiming for a more relaxed tone, consider using phrases like "let's get back to it" or "back to work" instead of "return to business".

Is it appropriate to use "return to business as usual" after a crisis?

Yes, the phrase "return to business as usual" is often used after a crisis or disruption to indicate a move back to normal operations, although sometimes it carries the connotation that important lessons may be ignored.

What's the difference between "resume operations" and "return to business"?

"Resume operations" specifically refers to restarting business activities, while "return to business" can also mean refocusing on a topic or task at hand, not just resuming physical operations.