returned to working order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "returned to working order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has been repaired or restored to a functional state after being broken or out of service. Example: "After several hours of repairs, the machine was finally returned to working order and ready for use."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After a substantial rebuild, the engine was returned to working order in December 2012.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

She returned to working nonstop.

The New York Times

Judge John C. Demos, who found the teachers guilty of ig noring a return to work order, meted out the sentences, de claring that only "the compara tively prompt" obedience to the order on the part of the de fendants had stayed him from handing out much more severe punishments.

The New York Times

Additionally, more employees recently returned to work when the administration ordered the Internal Revenue Service to process tax returns and issue refunds.

The Washington Post

Yet when she returned to work, complete with a protection order against her boyfriend prohibiting him from entering the workplace, she alleges her manager told her she "had too many issues outside of work" and fired her.

HuffPost

Meanwhile, the contractors have returned to work after an appellate court ordered them to do so and granted them some back pay.

The New York Times

When they returned to work on June 24th, their bosses ordered 3,500 hats for them, lest their bald heads scare customers away.Other problems will be harder to solve, although some things about the future of Chohung, which was resuscitated by the government in 1997 at a cost of 2.7 trillion won ($2.2 billion), are now clear.

The Economist

Garbage trucks rolled here today for the first time in nearly three weeks as striking sanitation workers, threatened with the loss of their jobs, obeyed a three-day-old court order and returned to work.

The New York Times

Mudar returned to work.

The New York Times

He recently returned to work.

The New York Times - Magazine

She never returned to work.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "returned to working order", ensure the context clearly indicates what was broken or out of service and is now functional again.

Common error

Avoid using "returned to working order" when simpler terms like "fixed" or "repaired" would suffice. Overusing the phrase in simple contexts can sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "returned to working order" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that something has been restored to its functional state. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "returned to working order" is a descriptive phrase used to indicate that something has been repaired or restored to a functional state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively infrequent, it is appropriate in technical or descriptive contexts. Simpler alternatives like "repaired" or "restored to functionality" may be more suitable in informal settings. Its use is seen across diverse sources including Wikipedia, news outlets, and scientific publications, however it is less common than simpler synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restored to functionality

Focuses on the recovery of function, omitting the specific detail of "order".

brought back into service

Emphasizes the return to active use after a period of being out of service.

repaired and operational

Highlights both the act of repairing and the resulting state of being operational.

fixed and functional

Similar to 'repaired and operational', but uses more common language.

made functional again

Simple and direct, focusing on the restoration of functionality.

back in operation

Indicates a return to an operational state, often used for machinery or systems.

brought back to life

More figurative, suggesting a complete revitalization.

restored to its original condition

Emphasizes restoring something to how it was at the start, encompassing more than just functionality.

refurbished and ready

Highlights a process of renovation and a state of preparedness.

returned to operational status

Rephrases the phrase using "operational status", which is slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "returned to working order" in a sentence?

You can use "returned to working order" to describe something that has been repaired or restored to a functional state, such as "After a substantial rebuild, the engine was "returned to working order" in December 2012."

What's a simpler way to say "returned to working order"?

Alternatives include "restored to functionality", "repaired and operational", or simply "fixed", depending on the context.

Is "returned to working order" formal or informal?

"Returned to working order" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for technical or descriptive contexts. Simpler alternatives might be more appropriate in informal settings.

What is the difference between "returned to working order" and "back in operation"?

"Returned to working order" implies a repair or restoration process, while "back in operation" simply indicates a return to an active state. For example, you might say something has "returned to working order" after being fixed, and is now "back in operation".