go back

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to return to a place where you were before. It can also refer to returning to a previous topic of conversation or a past state. It is highly common in both spoken and written English.

Examples

• I forgot my keys, so I have to go back to the house.

  I forgot my keys, so I have to go back to the house.

• When do you plan to go back to your hometown?

  When do you plan to go back to your hometown?

• Let's go back to what we were discussing earlier.

  Let's go back to what we were discussing earlier.

• It's getting late, we should probably go back now.

  It's getting late, we should probably go back now.

• I never want to go back to working those long night shifts.

  I never want to go back to working those long night shifts.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will return back to Spain next week.

  ✓ I will go back to Spain next week.

  'Return back' is redundant because 'return' already means to go back. Use either 'go back' or 'return'.

• ✗ She went back at her country yesterday.

  ✓ She went back to her country yesterday.

  Always use the preposition 'to' after 'go back' when specifying the destination.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you lose your way, just ___ to the main road.

  💡 Return to a previous location

  Show answer

  go back

• I need to ___ to work; my lunch break is over.

  💡 Return to your office or workplace

  Show answer

  go back