return without incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "return without incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that someone or something has returned safely and without any problems or issues. Example: "The flight was delayed, but it eventually took off and returned without incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Most tourists return without incident, he said.

The New York Times

Admiral von Pohl conducted a series of fleet advances in 1915 in which Friedrich der Grosse took part; in the first one on 29 30 March, the fleet steamed out to the north of Terschelling and return without incident.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But his research suggests that in many of the publicized "successes," the child in question would likely have been returned without incident or the intervention of law enforcement.

The New Yorker

It failed to find the target and returned without incident.

Wikipedia

Shortly after sunrise, the women went to the spring and returned without incident.

Wikipedia

Horton was an outlier — more than 99% of those allowed to go home on leaves returned without incident.

Los Angeles Times

Other incidents included Mexican helicopters flying north into U.S. airspace near El Paso for about 15 minutes, five Mexican officials armed with assault rifles entering the country near El Centro and returning without incident, and two Mexican police officers observed wandering along the U.S. side of the border near Yuma, Ariz.

Los Angeles Times

Despite Warmbier's detention none of the major North Korean travel agencies have cancelled their upcoming trips, stressing that almost all Americans who travel to the DPRK return home without incident.

The Guardian

U.S. tourism to North Korea is legal and virtually all Americans who make the journey return home without incident.

Los Angeles Times

On that occasion, Begley returned home without incident, after his mother advised police to stay away and therefore not antagonise him.

The Guardian

Stone then sent three small boats with about 100 men from the 1st Minnesota Infantry across, who returned shortly without incident.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "return without incident" to clearly communicate a safe and uneventful return, especially in contexts where potential risks or complications are anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "return without incident" when a return is expected to be inherently uneventful. The phrase is most effective when it emphasizes the absence of problems in situations where issues are plausible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "return without incident" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action (returning) occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, providing examples where it indicates a safe and uneventful return.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "return without incident" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe a safe and uneventful return. Ludwig AI analysis shows it is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating a neutral formality level. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is valuable for conveying reassurance or factual information about a return process. Consider alternatives like "come back safely" or "arrive back unharmed" for similar meanings with slight variations. Remember to use the phrase when emphasizing the absence of problems in potentially risky situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get back without any problems

Highlights the absence of difficulties encountered during the return.

come back safely

Focuses specifically on the safety aspect of the return.

finish uneventfully

Emphasizes a conclusion without significant occurrences or excitement.

arrive back unharmed

Emphasizes the lack of physical harm during the return.

end without complications

Stresses the absence of complex or problematic elements during the concluding phase.

make it back safely

Implies a journey with potential risks, successfully overcome.

reappear without trouble

Stresses the lack of issues upon returning or becoming visible again.

pass off quietly

Highlights the lack of disturbance or attention during the event or period.

be restored uneventfully

Focuses on a process of restoration concluding without any significant occurrences.

conclude successfully

Emphasizes a positive outcome without specifying the nature of the activity.

FAQs

How can I use "return without incident" in a sentence?

You can use "return without incident" to describe a situation where someone or something returns safely and without any problems. For example: "The flight was delayed, but it eventually took off and "returned without incident"."

What are some alternatives to "return without incident"?

Some alternatives to "return without incident" include "come back safely", "arrive back unharmed", or "get back without any problems".

Is it always necessary to specify "without incident" when talking about a return?

No, it's not always necessary. The phrase "without incident" is most useful when there is a possibility of something going wrong during the return. If the return is expected to be routine, it may be redundant.

What's the difference between "return without incident" and "return safely"?

"Return safely" focuses primarily on the physical safety of the person or object returning. "Return without incident" is broader and implies that there were no problems, complications, or noteworthy events during the return, encompassing both safety and overall uneventfulness.