Back And Forth

A2 8+

Pronunciation: /bæk ənd fɔrθ/

Definitions of back and forth

noun a movement or process in which someone or something moves repeatedly in one direction and then in the opposite direction

Example Sentences

A1 The children played catch with the ball, throwing it back and forth.

A2 The couple walked back and forth along the beach, enjoying the sunset.

B1 The negotiation went back and forth as both parties tried to reach a compromise.

B2 The debate on the issue continued back and forth for hours without a clear resolution.

C1 The legal teams argued back and forth in court, presenting their evidence and counterarguments.

C2 The diplomats engaged in back and forth discussions to try and find a peaceful solution to the conflict.

adverb moving repeatedly in one direction and then in the opposite direction

Example Sentences

A1 The children ran back and forth in the playground.

A2 She kept pacing back and forth in the waiting room.

B1 The negotiations went back and forth before reaching a compromise.

B2 The arguments between the two sides went back and forth for hours.

C1 The debate continued to go back and forth without a clear resolution.

C2 The legal battle went back and forth between the two parties for years.

Examples of back and forth in a Sentence

formal The negotiations went back and forth between the two parties for weeks.

informal We kept going back and forth on which restaurant to choose for dinner.

slang We were texting back and forth all night.

figurative Her emotions were going back and forth like a pendulum.

Grammatical Forms of back and forth

past tense

backed and forthed

plural

backs and forths

comparative

more back and forth

superlative

most back and forth

present tense

back and forth

future tense

will back and forth

perfect tense

have backed and forthed

continuous tense

is backing and forth

singular

back and forth

positive degree

back and forth

infinitive

to back and forth

gerund

backing and forth

participle

backed and forth

Origin and Evolution of back and forth

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The phrase 'back and forth' originated from the Old English word 'bæc' meaning 'back' and 'forþ' meaning 'forward'. It was likely used to describe the movement of something in a repeated manner.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the phrase 'back and forth' has retained its original meaning of moving in a repeated manner, but it has also come to symbolize a sense of indecision or lack of progress in a situation.