would be back

USAGE SUMMARY

'would be back' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used as a way of expressing an assumption about something that will happen in the future. For example, "I assumed that she would be back in time for the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Modest would be back Monday.

The New York Times

The Shakespeares said they would be back.

The New Yorker

They would be back in an hour.

The New Yorker

He said he would be back Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

The man said he would be back.

The New York Times

'I knew I would be back.

Independent

I would be back.

The New York Times

It would be back".

The New York Times - Books

Then they would be back.

The New York Times

They would be back later.

The Guardian

They would be back in a week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be back" to express an assumption or expectation about a future return, especially when narrating past events or conditions. For example, "I thought he "would be back" by now."

Common error

Avoid using "would be back" when simply stating a future return without any prior context or condition. "Will be back" is more appropriate for straightforward future statements. For instance, say "I will be back tomorrow", not "I "would be back" tomorrow" unless you're referring to a past expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be back" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase expressing a conditional or future-in-the-past statement. It indicates an expectation or assumption about someone or something returning, viewed from a past perspective. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would be back" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase expressing a past expectation or assumption about a future return. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using it, ensure that the context aligns with expressing a conditional or future-in-the-past scenario, distinguishing it from the simple future tense "will be back". Alternatives include "will return" or "is expected to return" depending on the precise nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will return

Simple future tense emphasizing the action of returning.

will be returning

Future continuous tense suggesting an ongoing or repeated return.

is coming back

Present continuous tense indicating an imminent return.

is expected to return

Formal phrasing indicating an anticipated return based on expectation.

is set to return

More emphatic phrasing indicating a scheduled or planned return.

plans to return

Focuses on the intention to come back.

intends to come back

Similar to "plans to return", emphasizing the intention.

hopes to return

Expresses a desire or wish to come back, but not a certainty.

is due back

Indicates that a return is scheduled or expected at a particular time.

was expected back

Expresses the idea that someone was expected to return, usually in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "would be back" in a sentence?

Use "would be back" to express a past expectation or assumption about a future return. For example, "She said she "would be back" in an hour, but she never returned."

What's the difference between "would be back" and "will be back"?

"Will be back" states a simple future return. "Would be back" expresses a past expectation or assumption about a future return. The choice depends on the context and the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "would be back"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "will return", "is coming back", or "is expected to return".

Is "would be back" grammatically correct?

Yes, "would be back" is grammatically correct when used to express a past expectation or assumption about a future return. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.