terrorists back on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrorists back on" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and would require additional context to convey a clear meaning. Example: "After the recent events, it feels like the terrorists are back on the radar."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Five hundred Al Qaeda terrorists back on the streets can do a lot of damage wherever they choose to go — to Iraq, to Syria, to Lebanon, or to the fragile Jordan, where hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees now live in camps along the border.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The administration is struggling to recalibrate the war against terrorists and to pull back on some of what Mr. Obama considers the excesses of the past.

The New York Times

Islamic terrorists sent a message back on Thursday, bombing the British consulate and a British-owned bank in Istanbul, not long before Mr. Bush sat down for a meeting at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The New York Times

Reagan never turned his back on terrorists; he didn't hesitate to bomb Libya's Muammar Qaddafi when that thug committed a terrorist act against us.

Forbes

Reagan never turned his back on terrorists; he didn't hesitate to bomb Libya's Muammar Qaddafi Muammar Qaddafi when that thug committed a terrorist act against us.

Forbes

"We can push back on the terrorists … and there would be a closer cooperation between Baghdad and the Kurdistan regional government to work together and try to flush out these foreign fighters or elements who have disturbed the safety, the wellbeing of the population," he said.

The Guardian

In his speech, O'Malley said: "Back on September 11, terrorists attacked our metropolitan cores, two of America's great cities.

Wikipedia

Travel to Las Vegas, where half the visitors come by air, has fallen as conventions and meetings are canceled after this month's terrorist attacks and tourists cut back on travel.

The New York Times

If a Democrat were elected president, he said, they would "wave the white flag" in Iraq, cut back on surveillance of terrorists, restrict the ability of law enforcement officials to gather intelligence and limit interrogation techniques, curtailing their effectiveness.

The New York Times

It makes sense that she would strap a straitjacket back on to trap the terrorists who had committed an unpardonable crime.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr President, after 11 September, we succeeded in cutting back on the leeway which terrorists had, by taking numerous and effective European measures.

EU Parlament

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the return or resurgence of terrorist activity, opt for clearer and more grammatically standard phrases like "terrorists are active again" or "terrorists have returned" instead of the ambiguous "terrorists back on".

Common error

Avoid using the construction "back on" in formal writing when referring to terrorist activities. It can sound overly casual and may not convey the seriousness of the subject. Instead, use more precise and professional language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrorists back on" functions as a noun phrase potentially acting as a subject or object, though its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig AI analysis suggests it's not a standard or preferred construction. Its intended meaning is to convey the return or resurgence of terrorist activity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "terrorists back on" seeks to express the return or resurgence of terrorist activities. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity in standard English, according to Ludwig AI. While it appears in some news and media sources, it's not a preferred construction. For clearer and more effective communication, alternatives such as "terrorists are active again" or "terrorists have returned" are recommended. The phrase primarily appears in news contexts, aiming to warn or inform about renewed terrorist threats.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrorists are active again

This alternative replaces "back on" with "are active again" providing a clearer and more direct expression of renewed terrorist activity.

terrorists have returned

This alternative uses "have returned" instead of "back on", offering a grammatically sound and widely understood way to indicate the resurgence of terrorists.

resurgence of terrorists

This phrase focuses on the "resurgence" of terrorist activity, shifting from a state of being "back on" to an event or trend.

terrorist activity is increasing

This option focuses on the increase in terrorist activity. It is more specific than just saying they are "back on".

terrorists are regaining power

This phrase emphasizes the regaining of power by terrorists, highlighting a shift in their influence or control.

terrorists are re-emerging

This alternative employs the term "re-emerging" to convey the idea of terrorists becoming visible or active once more.

terrorists are making a comeback

This option uses the idiom "making a comeback" to describe the return of terrorists, offering a more informal and figurative expression.

terrorist groups are reforming

This alternative specifically refers to the "reforming" of terrorist groups, emphasizing the rebuilding or restructuring of these organizations.

terrorists are regrouping

This phrase focuses on the "regrouping" of terrorists, suggesting they are reorganizing and preparing for further action.

terrorist threats are escalating

This option shifts the focus to the escalation of "terrorist threats", highlighting the increasing danger posed by terrorist activities.

FAQs

What does "terrorists back on" mean?

The phrase "terrorists back on" suggests that terrorists, who may have been inactive or less prominent, have returned to activity or prominence. However, it's not grammatically sound and lacks clarity.

What can I say instead of "terrorists back on"?

You can use alternatives like "terrorists are active again", "terrorists have returned", or "resurgence of terrorists depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "terrorists back on the streets"?

While understandable, "terrorists back on the streets" can be improved for clarity and formality. Consider "terrorists are active again on the streets" or "terrorists have returned to the streets".

Which is a better way to phrase it: "terrorists back on" or "terrorists are back"?

"Terrorists are back" is generally a better and more grammatically correct way to express the idea that terrorists have returned or become active again. The original query is not correct.