to return to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to return to' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when a speaker or writer wants to come back to an idea that was mentioned earlier. For example, "I learned a lot during my travels. To return to the topic of my presentation, let's discuss the impact of globalization on traditional cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Zip to return to posts.

The New York Times

To return to the Before.

The New York Times - Books

But to return to Garfield.

The New Yorker

Ms. Warren plans to return to Harvard.

The New York Times

We are keen to return to negotiations.

Independent

"I want to return to my country".

The Economist

He has to return to the mine.

Independent

There was not much to return to.

The New York Times - Sports

Oliver attempted to return to the Raiders.

The New York Times

Jose eventually agreed to return to Mexico.

The New York Times

He was determined to return to power.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to return to" when you want to smoothly transition back to a previous subject in your writing or speech, ensuring clarity and coherence for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "to return back to" as it is redundant. "Return" already implies going back, so adding "back" is unnecessary and weakens the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to return to" functions as a transitional phrase, often used to signal a shift back to a previously discussed topic or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to return to" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to signal a shift back to a previously mentioned topic. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and general writing. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, avoiding redundancy such as "return back to" enhances clarity. Alternative phrases such as "revert to" or "revisit" can provide stylistic variation. Ultimately, understanding its function and context helps writers and speakers maintain coherence and guide their audience effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to revert to

Focuses on going back to a former state or condition.

to go back to

Emphasizes the act of physically or metaphorically revisiting something.

to come back to

Highlights the act of revisiting a place, topic, or idea.

to revisit

Implies a deliberate act of considering something again.

to revert back to

Redundant but emphasizes the return to a previous state.

to take us back to

Suggests leading someone back to a specific point or topic.

to circle back to

Implies a return to a topic after exploring other related areas.

to get back to

Indicates a resumption of a previously interrupted activity or topic.

to hark back to

Emphasizes a nostalgic or historical return to a former time or idea.

to resume

Focuses on restarting something after an interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "to return to" in a sentence?

Use "to return to" when you want to smoothly transition back to a previous subject in your writing or speech. For example, "After discussing various economic factors, "to return to" our initial point, inflation remains a key concern".

What's a more formal way to say "to return to"?

In a more formal context, you might consider phrases like "to revert to", or "to revisit". These alternatives provide a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

Which is correct, "to return to" or "returning to"?

"To return to" is generally used as an infinitive phrase, often to introduce a shift back to a previous topic. "Returning to" can function as a gerund or participial phrase. The correct choice depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence.

What can I say instead of "to return to" when introducing a new topic?

While "to return to" is used to revisit a topic, when introducing a new topic, consider using phrases like "moving on to", "let's discuss", or "turning our attention to".