return to playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "return to playing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing resuming an activity, particularly in the context of games or sports. Example: "After a short break, the players were eager to return to playing and continue the match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neto's father has said his son will return to playing.

The Guardian

Parry spoke about when he decided to return to playing.

The New York Times - Sports

He said after the game that he was ready to return to playing the field.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he would not return to playing full time and was undecided about returning to the championship next year.

The New York Times - Sports

And he has had to return to playing more crowd pleasers, though not exactly the obvious ones.

The New York Times

Both confess that they were eager to get off the phone to return to playing with their cousins.

The New Yorker

Then I would return to playing Kingdom Hearts while my spaceship spent a minute getting to its destination.

The New York Times - Tech

LA would be interesting, as Iginla would return to playing under Darryl Sutter, and a Flames-esque system.

The Guardian - Sport

The policy would also explain the proper procedures for clearing students to return to playing after concussions have been diagnosed.

The New York Times - Sports

For my part, I should be able to return to playing stock English foils, corrupt lawyers, Persian cat-stroking villains, and epicene fools with a lighter heart".

The New Yorker

But it is ultimately up to Goodell when Roethlisberger can put his off-season aside and return to playing football, what Arians calls Roethlisberger's "safe haven".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. If you want to sound more formal, use "resume playing". If you prefer a more casual tone, "go back to playing" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "a return to playing was made". Instead, use active voice: "He returned to playing" for clearer, more direct writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "return to playing" functions as a verbal phrase that typically follows a noun or pronoun, indicating the act of resuming a previously engaged-in activity, often in the context of sports or games. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a common and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

6%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "return to playing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe the act of resuming a game, sport, or activity. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage spans diverse contexts, most prominently in news and media. While maintaining a neutral tone, it effectively conveys a sense of renewed participation. For alternative phrasing, consider "resume playing" for a more formal approach or "go back to playing" for a more casual tone. Be mindful of avoiding passive voice constructions for clearer writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resume playing

More formal alternative, suggesting a continuation after an interruption.

go back to playing

More casual and direct way of expressing the return to playing.

start playing again

Emphasizes the restart of the activity after a pause.

recommence playing

A more formal synonym for resuming the playing activity.

get back to playing

Informal and emphasizes eagerness or anticipation.

return to the game

Focuses on the return to the context of the game or activity.

rejoin the game

Highlights the act of becoming part of an ongoing game again.

take up playing again

Suggests a re-engagement or renewed interest in playing.

be back in action

Idiomatic expression indicating a return to active participation.

pick up the game again

Suggests a casual return to playing, often after a long break.

FAQs

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

You can use "return to playing" to indicate someone is resuming a sport or activity after a break. For example, "After recovering from his injury, the athlete was eager to "return to playing"."

What is a more formal way to say "return to playing"?

A more formal way to say "return to playing" is to use the phrase "resume playing". This is suitable for professional contexts or when a higher level of formality is needed.

Are "return to playing" and "go back to playing" interchangeable?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "return to playing" is slightly more formal than "go back to playing". The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "return to playing" and "start playing again"?

"Return to playing" implies a resumption of something that was previously done, while "start playing again" can refer to either resuming an activity or beginning it anew. The subtle difference lies in the prior engagement with the activity.