ENGLISH
REFERENCE

returning

v.
A2 Elementary US //ɹiˈtɝnɪŋ// UK //ɹɪtˈɜːnɪŋ// re·turn·ing

v. to go back to a place you were at before. You also use this when you give or send something back to a person or a shop.

v. to come or go back to a previous place, state, or condition; to give, put, or send something back to its original owner or location. Intransitive when referring to movement; transitive when referring to the restoration of an object.


SIMPLE

She is returning home after a long day at work.

CONTEXTUAL

The customer is returning the damaged goods to the store to request a full refund.

COMPLEX

After years of living abroad, he found himself returning to his hometown, only to discover that the familiar landmarks of his youth had been replaced by modern developments.

Synonyms
Usage

When used to mean 'giving back', the verb is transitive and takes a direct object. When used to mean 'going back', it is intransitive and often takes the preposition 'to'.

Pitfall

I am returning back to my houseI am returning to my houseThe word 'returning' already means 'going back', so adding 'back' is redundant.

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