returning to the task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "returning to the task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate a shift back to a specific task or activity after a distraction or interruption. Example: "After a brief discussion, we are now returning to the task of finalizing the project proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The 40-second time frame came from a pilot study we conducted, in which we had people go through the same procedure, but when they got to the microbreak, they were able to look at the green roof for as long as they wanted before returning to the task.

Harvard Business Review

"Some day," I whisper softly to myself, before returning to the task at hand.

TechCrunch

In that same meeting, women may run off topic before returning to the task at hand because they're born multi-taskers.

Forbes

And, if you see them looking at their phone during work hours, don't assume that will distract them for ages — they're used to spending five seconds checking for updates before returning to the task at hand.

Forbes

However, when his brothers - Todd & Josh - come running into the room he is unable to complete the task, gets frustrated with his brothers, and has a very hard time returning to the task after Todd & Josh finally leave.

HuffPost

Observers occasionally lost fusion within a session; in these cases the session was exited and the alignment procedure was repeated before returning to the task.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In experimenting with this, I've come to see that the time-cost of taking a break is almost always outweighed by the joyful reward of greater clarity and energy when returning to the tasks of the day.

HuffPost

Chip Beck returns to the task at hand.

The New York Times - Sports

The Knicks will wait, respectfully, and then return to the task of rebuilding frayed relationships.

The New York Times - Sports

He waved back, then returned to the task of untying one of the strings.

The New Yorker

Could shopping-obsessed consumers return to the task of being responsible, engaged citizens?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "returning to the task" to clearly signal a shift back to the primary activity after an interruption or a break. This helps maintain focus and coherence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "returning to the task" repeatedly in the same paragraph. Vary your language with synonyms like "resuming", "reverting", or "getting back" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "returning to the task" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating the resumption of an activity after an interruption or deviation. Examples found by Ludwig, from sources like Forbes and Harvard Business Review, demonstrate this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "returning to the task" is a commonly used phrase that indicates the resumption of an activity after an interruption. It is grammatically correct and suitable for both neutral and professional contexts, as validated by Ludwig. While alternatives exist, this phrase clearly signals a refocus and maintains coherence in writing. Usage examples from various sources like The New York Times, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review, confirm its widespread applicability. It's important to avoid overuse and vary language for better engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resuming the task

Focuses on the act of picking up where one left off, emphasizing continuity.

getting back to the task

Highlights the action of going back, suggesting a prior deviation.

reverting to the task

Emphasizes a return to a previous state or action, often after a change.

going back to the task

A simpler alternative that points to the act of re-engaging with the task.

re-engaging with the task

Highlights the active resumption of involvement with the task.

redirecting focus to the task

Emphasizes changing the direction of attention specifically towards the task.

picking up the task again

Focuses on restarting the task after an interruption.

recommencing the task

A more formal way of saying restarting the task.

taking up the task once more

Suggests a renewal of effort toward the task.

resuming work on the task

Highlights the action of returning to work specifically on the identified task.

FAQs

How can I use "returning to the task" in a sentence?

You can use "returning to the task" to indicate a resumption of work after an interruption, for example: "After the coffee break, we are "returning to the task" of data analysis."

What are some alternatives to "returning to the task"?

Alternatives include "resuming the task", "getting back to the task", or "reverting to the task", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "returning to the task" in formal writing?

Yes, "returning to the task" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly and professionally conveys the idea of resuming an activity. It's commonly found in news, academic papers, and business documents.

What's the difference between "returning to the task" and "continuing with the task"?

"Returning to the task" implies an interruption occurred, whereas "continuing with the task" suggests the activity was ongoing without any breaks.