return to it later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "return to it later" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that someone should revisit a topic or task at a later time instead of addressing it immediately. Example: "I don't have time to discuss this right now, so let's return to it later during our next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

So I skipped it, planning to return to it later.

Harvard Business Review

Don't spend ages trying to come up with a perfect, snappy first line – write anything and return to it later.

The Guardian

At any point during the process, you may cancel the submission, or save what you have entered and return to it later.

Cornell University

It's like jazz: the better the melody, the easier it is to wander away from it, because it will also be easier to return to it later.

The New York Times - Magazine

They have been used frequently, along with phony polls and trivia quizzes, to get people to stick to a site longer and return to it later.

The New York Times

If you need to stop in the middle of the application process, you may save your application and return to it later by clicking on the "Save and Exit" button located on the bottom of the application page.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

But I returned to it, later, for its absorbing and, after all, highly relevant scrutiny of the historic loam that produced a bloom as exotic as Castelli.

The New Yorker

The host tried to move the interview along, but Gohmert returned to it later.

The Washington Post

If something promising pops out, he stores it and returns to it later.

The Guardian - Music

Just in case I hadn't gotten the point, Needham returned to it later in our conversation.

The New Yorker

He returns to it later to describe his less-is-more approach to his role in "Traffic".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "return to it later" when you want to suggest a temporary pause, with a clear intention to resume or reconsider at a future time. This is useful for managing tasks, discussions, or complex problems that require more time or information.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "return to it later" excessively in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives like "I'll get back to you" or "Let's talk later" may be more appropriate. The phrase can sound slightly formal in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "return to it later" functions as a directive phrase, used to postpone an action or discussion to a future time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, showing examples where it appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "return to it later" is a versatile phrase used to postpone an action or discussion to a more suitable time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appears across diverse contexts, from News & Media to Academia. While generally neutral to professional, it's best to avoid overusing it in very informal settings. For alternatives, consider "revisit it later" or "get back to it later", depending on the context. By understanding its function and appropriate usage, you can effectively manage tasks and conversations while maintaining clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revisit it later

Replaces "return" with "revisit", emphasizing a second look or reconsideration.

come back to it later

Uses "come back" instead of "return", providing a more casual tone.

get back to it later

Substitutes "return" with "get back", indicating a resumption of activity.

address it later

Focuses on dealing with or considering something at a future time.

deal with it later

Highlights postponing the handling of a task or issue.

consider it again later

Emphasizes the act of thinking about something at a future time.

take it up later

Suggests initiating or resuming discussion on a topic at a future time.

postpone it for now

Focuses on delaying something to a later, unspecified time.

defer it to a later time

Highlights the act of officially postponing something.

put it off until later

Indicates a delay with the intention of handling it at a future time.

FAQs

How can I use "return to it later" in a sentence?

You can use "return to it later" to suggest postponing a task or discussion. For example, "I don't have all the information now, but let's "revisit it later" this week."

What's a more informal way to say "return to it later"?

In a casual setting, you might say "come back to it later" or "get back to it later". These options are less formal and suitable for everyday conversation.

Is it better to say "return to it later" or "revisit it later"?

Both "return to it later" and ""revisit it later"" are correct, but "revisit it later" implies a second look or reconsideration. "Return to it later" simply suggests going back to something at a future time.

Can "return to it later" be used in professional emails?

Yes, "return to it later" is suitable for professional emails when you need to postpone a topic. For example, "I'm currently occupied, but I will "return to it later" today to discuss the details."