returning to the main point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "returning to the main point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to refocus the discussion or writing on the central topic after a digression. Example: "After discussing various aspects of the project, I would like to take a moment to clarify our objectives by returning to the main point."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Returning to the main point of interest, it can therefore be claimed that currently in a nutshell the Greek health system is a mixture of three main components [ 26, 1]: A tax-based national health system (NHS) that is responsible for public hospitals and health centres in the rural areas (now in the urban areas too).

BMC Health Services Research

Nevertheless, returning to the main point of this paper, it will be seen that the issue of whether to raise the value-of-a-QALY bar or bar the raise is somewhat more complex than discussed to date and that both sides in the debate are right, but also wrong.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But, to return to the main point, Democrats in the Senate should move forthwith to pass the SBC Plan.

Huffington Post

Joe returned to the main point, which was that Carter's statement were ultimately a marking ploy, yes? "You are saying it with a little less subtlety than I did," said Cheney, smiling.

Huffington Post

LBC said it was an "incidental reference, made briefly and intended merely as an observation before James [O'Brien] returned to the main talking point … which concerned what to do about Isis".

The Guardian

The community, located on NY 251, marks the point where the Lehigh Valley Railroad spur that went to the railroad's station in downtown Rochester returned to the main line.

Wikipedia

Second, I return to the main research question.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Click here to return to the main story.

Forbes

But let us return to the main matter.

SEP

Let me return to the main line of exposition.

SEP

I return to the main room.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "returning to the main point" to smoothly transition back to the central argument after addressing digressions or secondary topics.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with transition phrases like "returning to the main point", as this can make your writing sound repetitive and formulaic. Vary your sentence structure for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "returning to the main point" functions as a transitional phrase, used to signal a shift back to the central topic of discussion. It helps to refocus the audience and maintain coherence, as also suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "returning to the main point" is a transitional phrase used to refocus a discussion or text on its central theme. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science and Wiki. While the phrase is generally suitable for formal writing, writers should be mindful of overusing it. Alternatives such as "getting back to the point" or "refocusing on the main issue" can provide variety while serving the same purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting back to the point

Focuses more on brevity and directness.

to return to the central idea

Highlights the core theme as the destination.

let's refocus on the main issue

Suggests a collaborative effort to concentrate on the primary topic.

back to the original subject

Emphasizes a return to the starting topic.

to reiterate the key point

Implies restating the primary argument for clarity.

as I was saying

Indicates a resumption after an interruption or digression.

coming back to the core of the matter

Highlights depth and significance.

to bring the focus back to

Highlights an action of redirecting focus

to get back on track

Implies that the discussion has veered off course.

in any case

Indicates a transition back to the main topic from a tangent.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "returning to the main point" in writing?

Use "returning to the main point" to signal a shift back to the central argument after exploring related but tangential ideas. It helps maintain focus and clarity for the reader.

What are some alternatives to "returning to the main point"?

You can use alternatives like "getting back to the point", "to reiterate the key point", or "let's refocus on the main issue" depending on the context.

Is "returning to the main point" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "returning to the main point" is suitable for formal writing. While it's straightforward, it's also clear and professional, making it appropriate for academic, business, and other formal contexts.

What's the difference between "returning to the main point" and "in conclusion"?

"Returning to the main point" is used to bring the discussion back to the central topic after a digression, whereas "in conclusion" is used to summarize the final thoughts or arguments at the end of a piece of writing.