Get back means to return (home, from a trip) or to reply later: get back to someone. In the first meaning, it is close to “come back”: When did you get back from Rome? The second is common in work emails and calls: I'll get back to you tomorrow.
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get back home/from + place; get back to + person; get back to + person + about + topic
- We got back from Turkey late last night, so I'm quite tired today.
- What time did you get back home after the party?
- Thanks for your question; I'll check the figures and get back to you by Friday.
What changed
First versionI'll check the schedule and return to you tomorrow.
RevisionI'll check the schedule and get back to you tomorrow.
“Return” may seem the right verb for coming back with an answer. But “return to you” sounds as if you will physically come back to the person. When you promise to reply later, say “get back to you”.
“Get back to” + an activity means to return to it after a break: OK, let's get back to work. If a person follows “to”, it is about replying; if an activity follows, it is about returning to it.
Your turn
Sorry, I can't talk now because I'm in a meeting. I'll ___ to you by email this afternoon.
Show the answer
get back — The words “by email” show that this is about replying, not about going somewhere. To reply later is “get back to you”. “Go back to you” would mean returning to where the person is, and you can't do that by email.
A colleague or teacher has asked you a question you can't answer right away. Write to them saying what you need to check and when you will reply.
I need to check the budget with my manager first, so I'll get back to you on Thursday morning.
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