returning to the topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'returning to the topic' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in formal writing when you are transitioning from talking about one idea to talking about another. For example: Despite the weather, the wedding was beautiful. Returning to the topic, the speeches were heartfelt and well-received by all in attendance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was a preposterous suggestion and he avoided returning to the topic, but it precisely chimed with anti-Washington anger.

Independent

Returning to the topic at greater length the following day, she complains that Francis "has tied the church to environmentalists well on the left of the political spectrum".

The Guardian - Opinion

And so," he said, returning to the topic, "the way to think about this is not to impose ideas on farmers that aren't gonna work, by people who don't farm.

The New Yorker

I first wrote about Paris coffee in 2010, and after returning to the topic last year I decided to sit on my hands until somebody in the city figured out what it was missing.

The New York Times

Returning to the topic of the election campaign, Wright told the press club that Labor had fared better in September under Rudd's leadership than it would have without the leadership change.

The Guardian

Returning to the topic of journalistic hubris, some commentators – well, I am talking about Andrew Bolt – have declared that Pell is innocent and the victim of a witch-hunt.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Burke mentioned his service on various environmental boards and his role as a trustee of the natural-history museum at Yale, his alma mater, but he kept returning to the topics of geology and rivers.

The New Yorker

He returned to the topic later.

The New York Times

He is not expected to return to the topic this week.

The Guardian - Business

En route, he returns to the topic of Charlotte Moorman.

The New York Times

Then Limbaugh returned to the topic of immigration reform.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "returning to the topic" to smoothly transition back to the main subject after a digression, ensuring clarity and focus in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "returning to the topic" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your transitions with alternatives like "reverting to the subject" or "coming back to the matter at hand".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "returning to the topic" functions as a transitional phrase, signaling a shift back to the primary subject matter after a digression or tangent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to refocus the discussion. It helps maintain coherence and clarity in writing and speech.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "returning to the topic" is a useful transitional phrase that helps maintain focus and clarity in writing and speech. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase, frequently employed in formal contexts such as news, science, and business. While common, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "reverting to the subject" or "getting back on track" to enhance readability. This phrase is generally accepted and grammatically sound, making it a reliable choice for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reverting to the subject

Uses 'reverting' instead of 'returning', implying a slight difference in the manner of resuming the topic.

coming back to the matter at hand

Emphasizes the practical aspect of addressing the current subject.

getting back on track

Implies a deviation from the main topic and a need to refocus.

resuming the discussion

Focuses on the continuation of a conversation or debate.

picking up where we left off

Suggests a direct continuation from a previous point.

to reiterate the subject

Implies a repetition of key points for emphasis.

as i mentioned before

Highlights a previous statement on the topic.

let's get back to what we were discussing

Suggests an effort to bring the attention back to main subject.

addressing the initial topic again

Highlights an intention to speak about main subject again.

as we were saying

Implies a resumption of a conversation that was interrupted.

FAQs

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

You can use "returning to the topic" to signal a shift back to the main subject after a detour. For example, "After discussing the budget, "returning to the topic", we need to finalize the marketing strategy."

What phrases are similar to "returning to the topic"?

Similar phrases include "reverting to the subject", "coming back to the matter at hand", and "getting back on track". These can add variety to your writing.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state "returning to the topic"?

No, sometimes a clear and logical transition is sufficient. However, using "returning to the topic" can be helpful when the digression was lengthy or complex to ensure the reader doesn't lose sight of the main point.

What's the difference between "returning to the topic" and "in other words"?

"Returning to the topic" signals a return to the main subject after a digression, while "in other words" introduces a restatement or clarification of a previous point. They serve different purposes in writing.