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get back to

B1 neutral inseparable transitive

To contact someone again later, or to return to a subject that was interrupted or postponed.

In plain English

To talk to someone again later, or to return to something you were doing or discussing.

What does "get back to" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 neutral

To contact someone again at a later time, usually to give them an answer or update.

"I don't have the figures right now, but I'll get back to you by the end of the day."

inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To return to a subject, activity, or state after an interruption.

"After the break, let's get back to the main points of the presentation."

inseparable
3 B1 neutral

To return to a previous state or way of living.

"It took her months to get back to her normal routine after the surgery."

We want to get back to basics.

— John Major, Conservative Party Conference, 1993
inseparable
Usage tip

Extremely common in professional communication: 'I'll get back to you' is a standard way to defer a decision or promise future contact. Also used to resume a topic in conversation.

Words that pair with "get back to"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

you me the topic work later basics

How to conjugate "get back to"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
get back to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gets back to
he/she/it
Past simple
got back to
yesterday
Past participle
got/gotten back to
have + pp
-ing form
getting back to
continuous

Hear "get back to" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "get back to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "get back to"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

contact again follow up with get in touch again reply to resume return to

Keep exploring

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