returned

USAGE SUMMARY

"returned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning "to go back to a place" or "to give something back". For example: "He returned home after a week of travel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Times reported that he said: "You have tanks and armour rolling across the Ukrainian border, and you have an Estonian border guard being captured and not yet still returned.

The Guardian

Carr, who served as NSW premier for 10 years, entered the Senate and became foreign minister at the request of former prime minister Julia Gillard in March 2012, when Kevin Rudd returned to the backbench after losing a leadership challenge.

The Guardian

He returned to Japan with his wife and founded Nikka, a company that, along with Suntory, is one of the pillars of the Japanese whisky industry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They spoke about the sale of some unwanted tickets that were returned to Match by a hotel group.

The Guardian - Sport

There he once returned to the dressing room after training to find armed men eager to berate the team for their failings.

The Guardian - Sport

But he returned again and again to the posed naked figure, male and female – the ultimate test and validation, so the critic Robert Hughes has stated, of any artist's merit and painterly ability.

The Guardian - Arts

Despite Moscow's statements that troops had been withdrawn to their home bases, only a few units have returned to their place of permanent deployment, the analysts said.

The Guardian

The jury returned a verdict on three charges: conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiring to provide support to al-Qaida and providing support to al-Qaida.

The Guardian

Duke said he had been adopted at birth, and he recently returned to Moscow after living for a few years in the Midwest.

The Guardian

Some may ask for rent in advance while others will require a lump sum of money to be returned providing the house is well kept Read it back-to-front and get your university's student advice service or student union to check it over.

The Guardian

Piechowski and Bendera spent time in Ukraine before Piechowski returned to Poland, joining the partisan Polish Home Army and spending the rest of the war fighting the Nazis.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "returned", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being returned to where or to whom. For example, "The book was returned to the library" is clearer than "The book was returned."

Common error

Avoid using "return" when the past tense is required. "Return" is the present tense, while "returned" is the past tense. For example, use "He returned yesterday" instead of "He return yesterday."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "returned" is as the past tense and past participle form of the verb "return". It indicates an action that was completed in the past, as Ludwig AI validates. Examples from Ludwig show its use in news articles and other sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Sport

14%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Business

6%

Opinion

4%

Arts

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "returned" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "return", indicating an action completed in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and widely used in written English. It commonly signifies going back to a place, condition, or giving something back, as evidenced by examples from diverse sources like The Guardian. While "returned" enjoys neutral formality, it frequents news, sports, and lifestyle content. Related alternatives include "came back" and "went back". Remember to use "returned" when the past tense is needed instead of its present form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came back

Indicates a simple return to a place or situation.

went back

Highlights the action of going back, emphasizing the movement.

reappeared

Focuses on the act of becoming visible again after being absent.

reverted

Suggests a return to a former condition, practice, or belief.

was restored

Emphasizes the act of bringing something back to its original state.

was given back

Specifically indicates the act of handing something back to someone.

made a comeback

Implies a return to popularity or success after a period of absence.

was reinstated

Highlights the act of restoring someone or something to a former position or condition.

was remitted

Indicates something that was sent back, often referring to money or a case.

was refunded

Specifically refers to the return of money.

FAQs

How can I use "returned" in a sentence?

You can use "returned" to indicate that someone or something went back to a place or condition. For example, "She "returned home" after a long day" or "The item was "returned to the store"".

What are some alternatives to using "returned"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "came back", "went back", or "reverted". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What's the difference between "returned" and "reverted"?

"Returned" generally indicates a physical return to a place or object. "Reverted", on the other hand, suggests a return to a previous state, condition, or practice.

Is it correct to say "has returned" instead of "returned"?

Yes, "has returned" is a correct alternative. "Has returned" is in the present perfect tense, which indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present.