turning back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turning back and forth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a physical or metaphorical action of moving or oscillating between two points or states. Example: "She was turning back and forth, trying to decide which path to take in the forest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Pressing their breasts together, they rise up and begin trampling their feet on the water, heads turning back and forth.

The New York Times - Science

You hope people are subliminally making the connection that the tables are turning back and forth.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But its knob turned back and forth.

The New Yorker

His right arm moves uncoordinatedly as his head turns back and forth.

The New York Times

She then, quite calmly, splits in two, and you can turn back and forth between the two Björks, as if listening to their different points of view.

The Guardian - Music

Her father kept his back to her, yet she believed — she somehow saw — that he held the hose low, in front of his body, and that it was only the nozzle of it that he turned back and forth.

The New Yorker

20 min: Robson has looked pretty lively, though, I guess, and here he twists and turns, back and forth twice, down the wing, like a Scottish Garrincha, to win a corner.

The Guardian - Sport

But don't you know it's not her that you're angry at?" "You stupid sour cock," Titania said, and then they just called each other names, back and forth, while Alice turned back and forth so swiftly it seemed she was spinning.

The New Yorker

In a corner of the room, amid the carnage, a spotlight trains on a doorknob that slowly turns back and forth.

Los Angeles Times

The rest of the time, they remained still, his hands barely touching the steering wheel as it turned back and forth on its own.

Los Angeles Times

But I love the fact that the tables do turn back and forth between them; it really is a shifting back and forth of power between them in those scenes we had.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a repetitive motion, consider using "turning back and forth" to emphasize the continuous nature of the action.

Common error

While "turning back and forth" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. In more formal writing, consider using more precise verbs to describe the specific action instead of generic "turning" plus directional adverbs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turning back and forth" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, often used to modify a verb, indicating a repetitive or alternating movement. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it describes physical actions or abstract situations involving oscillation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "turning back and forth" is a versatile expression used to describe repetitive or alternating movements, both physical and abstract. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across various sources, including news media, wikis, and scientific publications. While generally neutral in tone, consider more specific verbs for formal contexts to avoid repetition. Alternatives like "oscillating back and forth" or "alternating between" may offer greater precision depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moving to and fro

This alternative uses different vocabulary to express the same idea of movement in opposite directions.

oscillating back and forth

Replaces "turning" with "oscillating", emphasizing a rhythmic and repetitive movement.

alternating between

Focuses on the act of switching between two states or positions.

going back and forth

A more colloquial way of expressing the same idea.

reversing direction repeatedly

Emphasizes the change in direction that happens multiple times.

shifting between

Highlights the change or movement between two things.

swaying from side to side

Implies a gentle and rhythmic movement between two extremes.

flipping back and forth

Conveys a quick, abrupt alternation.

shuttling between

Suggests a regular, back-and-forth movement, often for a specific purpose.

rocking to and fro

Indicates a gentle and continuous back-and-forth motion.

FAQs

How can I use "turning back and forth" in a sentence?

You can use "turning back and forth" to describe a physical movement, as in "She was turning the key back and forth in the lock", or to describe a situation that alternates between two states, such as "The negotiations involved turning back and forth between different proposals".

What can I say instead of "turning back and forth"?

Alternatives include "oscillating back and forth", "moving to and fro", or "alternating between", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "turning back and forth" formal or informal?

"Turning back and forth" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider using more precise or sophisticated vocabulary.

What is the difference between "turning back and forth" and "rotating"?

"Rotating" implies a circular movement, while "turning back and forth" suggests a movement between two points or a partial rotation. Therefore, the best choice depends on the specific action you are describing.