ENGLISH
REFERENCE

go back

phr. v..
A1 Beginner Oxford

phr. v.. to return to a place where you were before.

phr. v.. to return to a previous location, time, or state. This is an intransitive phrasal verb.


SIMPLE

I want to go back home.

CONTEXTUAL

After the holiday, we have to go back to work on Monday.

COMPLEX

The historian wished he could go back in time to witness the signing of the declaration firsthand.

Particles
back
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
go + back
Usage

Often followed by 'to' and a destination, or used alone if the destination is understood.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'return' (more formal) and 'come back' (which implies returning to the speaker's current location).

Pitfall

I go back at my country.I go back to my country.The preposition 'to' is used to indicate the destination you are returning to.

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