return to the main menu

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "return to the main menu" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as software applications, video games, or websites where users have the option to navigate back to the primary menu. Example: "If you wish to change your settings, please return to the main menu and select the 'Settings' option."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Please stay on the line to return to the main menu.

The New Yorker

It will return to the main menu this month.

Forbes

Just return to the main menu - and start clicking.

BBC

The user is also able to exit the feedback menu and return to the main menu (iv).

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

The 'Update' subroutine is implemented to capture the 'escape' key input to return to the main menu.

Visualization in Engineering

But when you need to return to the main menu, you simply hold one finger down for a few seconds on the screen and the main screen fades in.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

A crown on the side acts as a digital dial, which can be turned to zoom in; tapping the crown returns to the main menu.

The New York Times - Tech

The iPhone 5s, the iPhone 6, the iPhone 6 Plus, and the iPad Air 2 all have home buttons with fingerprint sensors that will unlock your device completely- you might want to give it a try! Returning to the main menu with the home button will not make you lose any work.

WikiHow

Press circle to go back from placing a sticker, and circle again to leave the stickers and decorations page to return to the main popit menu page.

WikiHow

If you would like to boot from a disc or another drive, return to the main Advanced Startup menu.

WikiHow

The power button can either soft reset the console, returning it to the main menu, or shut it down.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "return to the main menu" when you want to provide clear and concise instructions for users navigating software, apps, or websites. It's universally understood and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "return to the main menu" when you actually mean "exit the application". "Return" implies you'll be able to pick up where you left off, while "exit" suggests closing the current session.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "return to the main menu" functions as an imperative, providing a clear instruction for users to navigate back to the primary interface of a system or application. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

21%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "return to the main menu" is a common and grammatically correct instruction used to guide users back to the primary navigation screen in software or systems. Ludwig confirms its validity, and it's frequently found in various contexts such as Wiki, News & Media, and Science, although it maintains a neutral register appropriate for both formal and informal settings. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the action of navigating back rather than completely exiting the application. Alternative ways to express this include "go back to the main menu" or "navigate to the main menu", depending on the desired level of formality. The phrase has very high usage across varied sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go back to the main menu

Replaces "return" with "go back", offering a more casual alternative.

navigate to the main menu

Substitutes "return" with "navigate", emphasizing the act of moving through a system.

go to the main menu

Simplifies the phrase by omitting "back" for a more direct instruction.

revert to the main menu

Uses "revert" instead of "return", implying a return to a previous state.

access the main menu

Focuses on the ability to reach the main menu.

head back to the main menu

Uses "head back" as a more informal way to say return.

jump to the main menu

Emphasizes a quick transition to the main menu.

proceed to the main menu

Suggests continuing forward to the main menu as the next step.

revisit the main menu

Implies that the user has been to the main menu before.

bring up the main menu

Focuses on the action of displaying the main menu.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "return to the main menu"?

You can use alternatives such as "go back to the main menu", "navigate to the main menu", or simply "go to the main menu" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "return to the main menu" or "go back to the main menu"?

"Return to the main menu" is slightly more formal than "go back to the main menu", but both are generally acceptable in most contexts. The choice depends on the overall tone of your communication.

When is it appropriate to use "return to the main menu"?

Use "return to the main menu" when you want to instruct a user to navigate back to the primary screen or set of options in a program, application, or website. It's commonly used in user guides, tutorials, and prompts within the software itself.

What's the difference between "return to the main menu" and "exit"?

"Return to the main menu" implies going back to the primary navigation screen, whereas "exit" typically means closing the current function or application entirely. They are not interchangeable.