return to service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "return to service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something, such as equipment or a vehicle, is being restored to operational status after maintenance or repair. Example: "After the necessary repairs were completed, the aircraft was cleared to return to service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some can take 24 hours to return to service.

The New York Times

Concordes may return to service late this month.

The New York Times

In addition, rapid construction and rapid return to service after an earthquake are desired.

Engineering Structures

Both ships suffered major damage, and the Olympic did not return to service until November 1911.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We're doing our best to ensure a safe and speedy return to service," he said.

The New York Times

There is no timetable for the plane to return to service.

The New York Times

14 CFR § 43.5 - Approval for return to service after maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration.

Cornell University

Approval for return to service after maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration.

Cornell University

§ 43.5 Approval for return to service after maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration.

Cornell University

B5 A RETURN TO SERVICE -- The Bridge of Friendship in Uzbekistan is seeing wartime duty again.

The New York Times

They are expected to return to service soon but may have to work at reduced power.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a phased restoration, specify the stages of the "return to service" to provide clarity. For instance, "The power plant will undergo a phased "return to service", starting with Unit 1 next month."

Common error

Avoid using "return to service" in casual conversation where simpler terms like "start again" or "resume" would suffice. This phrase is generally more appropriate for technical or formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "return to service" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It commonly acts as the object of a verb, indicating the state of being restored to operational use. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English, with examples demonstrating its widespread usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "return to service" is a commonly used phrase that accurately describes the restoration of an item or system to an operational state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and the varied examples provided highlight its prevalence across news, scientific, and academic domains. While versatile, it's most appropriate in neutral to formal contexts, signaling the resumption of functionality after maintenance or repair. To enhance clarity, specify the stages involved when describing a phased "return to service".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resume operation

Focuses on the act of starting again, suitable for systems or processes.

be reinstated

Implies a formal restoration to a previous position or state.

become operational again

Emphasizes the state of being ready for use after a period of inactivity.

get back online

Specifically refers to systems or services becoming available on a network.

be brought back into operation

Highlights the action of restoring something to a working condition.

be recommissioned

Suggests a formal process of putting something back into service, often after a refit or upgrade.

be reactivated

Emphasizes the restarting of something that was previously inactive.

be restored to working order

Focuses on the physical restoration of something to a functional state.

reenter service

Highlights a process of reintroducing something previously in service.

be put back in action

Focuses on getting something actively working again.

FAQs

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

You can use "return to service" to describe the restoration of something to operational status after a period of maintenance or repair. For example, "The aircraft is expected to "return to service" next week after undergoing scheduled maintenance."

What can I say instead of "return to service"?

Alternatives to "return to service" include "resume operation", "be reinstated", or "become operational again", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "returned to service" instead of "return to service"?

Yes, "returned to service" is a valid past tense form. "Return to service" is typically used as a noun phrase or in future constructions (e.g., "will return to service").

What's the difference between "return to service" and "return to activity"?

"Return to service" typically implies restoring equipment or systems to operational functionality. "Return to activity" is more general and can refer to resuming any kind of activity, not necessarily related to machinery or formal systems.