still not back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'still not back' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a condition or situation remains unchanged over time. For example: She left on vacation a week ago and she is still not back.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And he's still not back.

The Guardian

Business is still not back to normal.

The New York Times

"Universities are still not back to where they need to be," Mr. Sedlacek said.

The New York Times

"Here we are, 18 months later, and we're still not back in our home".

The New York Times

As others completed the stretch, the runner was still not back.

The New York Times

EPA's climate change website went down over a year ago for 'updating.' It's still not back.

The Washington Post

Do the same against Sarries and, with Dylan Hartley still not back, they will struggle.

The Guardian - Sport

There are thought to be at least 15 who will still not back the government.

The Guardian

He is still not back at work, but "I'm pretty close to coming back," he said.

The New York Times

"It's been more than six years and we're still not back to where we were".

The Guardian - Money

At the start of the regatta, he was still not back to full health.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "still not back", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is expected to return. For instance, "The power is still not back" or "She is still not back from her trip".

Common error

Avoid using "still not back" when the expected return was immediate. "Still" implies a duration longer than initially anticipated. If something was expected back instantly and isn't, consider using "not back yet" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still not back" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb (often implied) to indicate a continuing state of absence or incompletion. Ludwig examples show it describes situations where something expected has not yet returned to its original or desired state, confirming its function as a descriptive modifier.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "still not back" is a common adverbial phrase used to express that something or someone has not yet returned, either literally or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While simple, it is effective for conveying a sense of continuing absence and anticipation. Alternative phrases like "not yet returned" or "hasn't returned" can be used for variety, but the original phrase remains a clear and direct way to communicate the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not back yet

Simple inversion of words, maintaining the original meaning with a slightly different emphasis.

hasn't returned

More conversational and emphasizes the action of returning that hasn't happened.

not yet returned

Emphasizes the absence and expected return, similar but more direct.

not yet back to normal

More broadly indicates that a situation is not fully resolved or as it was before.

still away

A simple and direct way to state that someone or something has not returned.

remains absent

Highlights the continued absence, focusing on the state rather than the return.

yet to return

Formal phrasing that emphasizes the anticipation of a return.

continues to be missing

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the absence, often used in serious or concerning situations.

still hasn't recovered

Implies a recovery process is incomplete, applicable when referring to health or economic states.

still not at the previous level

Focuses on a lack of progress toward a former state, often used in business or sports contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "still not back" in a sentence?

You can use "still not back" to indicate that someone or something has not returned as expected. For example, "The internet is "still not back" after the storm" or "He's "still not back" from his meeting".

What's a simpler way to say "still not back"?

Alternatives include "not back yet" or "hasn't returned", depending on the specific context. These options can be more direct and easier to understand.

When is it appropriate to use "still not back"?

"Still not back" is appropriate when you expect something or someone to have returned by now, but they haven't. It implies a sense of waiting or anticipation.

What's the difference between "still not back" and "no longer back"?

"Still not back" means something is missing and expected to return. "No longer back" implies something or someone was back but has since left again.