And you, have you gone back on any decision?
I stick to a detailed analysis of the utterance in question, especially with regard to the meaning expressed by the verb come back, we notice that the use of the term that follows it (represented by the word above) at first seems to unnecessary. Such fact, if proven, in the case of linguistic facts, would configure what we call pleonasm, redundancy or tautology, as we prefer.
It characteristically represents the many circumstances in which the speaker unwittingly commits “deviations”, thus representing a disagreement with the formal standard of language.
However, the meaning expressed here does not refer to the fact of resuming a procedure already performed previously, that is, returning does not necessarily imply considering a physical point that be placed behind the person considered, but something related to the idea of undoing what has been done, with a view to acquiring a new conception with regard to a particular subject matter.
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Therefore, be sure that the expression does not portray the deviations from which we mentioned above, since in addition to being part of our vocabulary (considered correct), it also belongs to the vocabulary of renowned authors, such as the representative of the Romantic era, José de Alencar: "There was no way to turn him back."
But be aware of one fact:
The expression “going back” is a typical case of redundancy. Therefore, avoid using it in certain communication situations.
By Vânia Duarte
Graduated in Letters
Brazil School Team
Grammar - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
DUARTE, Vânia Maria do Nascimento. "The expression 'going back' - A typical example of redundancy? "; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/a-expressao-voltar-atrasum-tipico-exemplo-redundancia.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
