“Back to School” or “Back to School”? The answer to that question is “back to school”. That's because the substantive “volta” requires the preposition “a”, which forms a crasis when joining the feminine article “as”. On the other hand, the expression “back to classes” presents a verb agreement error, since “as classes” is a subject postponed to the verb “back”. Therefore, according to the context, it is correct to say or write “back to school”.
See too: Under or over — which is correct?
Summary of “Back às classes” or “back to school”
It is correct to use the expression “back to school” and not “back to school”.
-
The verb “to return” can be intransitive or require the use of the preposition "to" or "from".
It is direct transitive in the sense of “turning around” or “going back”.
It is transitive direct and indirect if it means "to give back" or "to move in a certain direction".
The verb “back” is also used in the expressions “back to classes” and “back to class”.
Is "back to school" or "back to school" correct?
The correct expression is "back to school". This is because the noun “returns”, in this case, requires the preposition “a”: “returns to”. Thus, it occurs crasis, which is the union between the preposition “a” and the article feminine “a(s)”:
Monday is the day of back to school.
(back to + classes)
THE back to school is under debate because of the pandemic.
(back to + classes)
Do not stop now... There's more after the ad ;)
The regency of the verb “to return”
It is important to pay attention to regency as for verbal transitivity. The verb “to return”, with the meaning of “to return”, can be intransitive and therefore not require a complement:
tell mom what back tomorrow!
However, with the same meaning, the verb “to return” can ask for prepositions, which in this case would be “from” or “to”:
Cassia came back from a long trip to Spain.
Cassia returned to parents' house after a long trip to Spain.
Also, “come back” Can be verb direct transitive, when it has the meaning of:
to turn
We return to sheets of the book and we discovered the secret!
go way back
I returned all the way without complaining.
And also can be direct and indirect transitive verb, in the sense of:
move in a certain direction
Lucas returned the eyes for me.
give back
Need return five reais change to the passenger.
Read too: Finally or in the end — which one to use?
Why is “back to school” incorrect?
In the expression “volta aulas”, if we consider “volta” to be a noun, it will require the preposition “a” (“return to”). The union of this preposition with the article “as”, from “as classes”, generates the crase: “à àclasses”. That's why "back to school" is correct.
If we consider “volta” as the verb “voltar” conjugated in the third person singular, in the present tense, indicative, the expression “the classes” performs the function of subject postponed to the verb: “back to school”. Thus, “back to school” shows an error verbal agreement.
Whether the word “back” is considered a noun or a verb, the expression “back to classes” is always incorrect. Therefore, only these constructions are correct:
It's day of back to school!
Today back to school!
Today back to literature class!
Also know: Above or above — how do you spell it?
Some uses of crase
The crasis is the union between the preposition “a” and the feminine article “a” or “as”. Thus, there must be a term that requires the preposition “a” and whose complement presents the feminine article:
He was oblivious to the hunt human being publicized by the media.
(oblivious to + the hunt = oblivious to the hunt)
attended the premiere of the movie of the year.
(attended + the premiere = attended the premiere).
Leandra is averse to demonstrations of affection.
(averse to + manifestations = averse to manifestations)
You can also use the backtick:
in the demonstrative pronouns “that one(s)”, “that one(s)” and “that”
I obey those ones who raised me.
Has arrived that one age when we can no longer tolerate futility.
Julius was terrified that one that caused so much destruction.
in the relative pronouns "which" and "which"
The fame which we aspire to is nothing but an illusion.
the conclusions which we arrived are impressive.
in the adverbial phrases “at night”, “at will”, “at times”, “in a hurry” etc.
At night, we ran a few kilometers.
Stay make yourself comfortable, my friend.
Sometimes, I feel that nothing is worth it.
he does everything in a rush because it has no organization.
in the conjunctive phrases "as" and "as"
As long as we study, we discover how ignorant we are.
I was desperate to the extent that time was running out.
Exercises solved on “back to school” or “back to school”
question 1
Analyze this statement:
On the day back to school, Luciana told me that she was dating that person.
Regarding the use of the expression “back to school”, it is possible to state that:
A) the word “return” is a verb conjugated in the third person.
B) the verb complement of “back” is “à las classes”.
C) the passage “to classes” is a subject.
D) the term “back” is a noun, and “à las classes” is its complement.
E) there is an agreement error.
Resolution:
Alternative D
In “back to school”, “to school” is complement namethere of the noun "turn".
question 2
Mark the alternative in which there is a regency error in relation to the verb “to return”.
A) Alice came back to the party when she realized she was missing her cell phone.
B) All I know is that they come back from vacation next week and nothing else.
C) My son, your father came back early to have a serious talk with you.
D) Turn the page, please, because I think I saw something interesting.
E) She said that going back to school is not an option at this time.
Resolution:
Alternative A
The expression “returned to the party” is incorrect; for, in that case, whoever returns, returns somewhere. Therefore, the truth is: "Alice returned to the party when she realized that she was without her cell phone".
question 3
Fill in each gap in the text below with one of these expressions: “back to school”, “back to school” or “back to class”.
On August 1st, ___________ from my daughter's school. But Amanda is still in Uruguay. She said that ___________ should be postponed and wanted to know when ___________ from Music. Amanda loves studying Music and is very fond of her teacher!
The correct order of filling in the gaps is:
A) back to school/back to school/back to school.
B) back to school/back to school/back to school.
C) back to school/back to school/back to school.
D) back to school/back to school/back to school.
E) back to school/back to school/back to school.
Resolution:
Alternative C
The text, with the gaps correctly filled in, looks like this: “On August 1, back to school from my daughter's school. But Amanda is still in Uruguay. she said that the back to school should be postponed and wanted to know when back to class of Music. Amanda loves to study Music and is very fond of her teacher!”.
By Warley Souza
Portuguese teacher
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Warley. "Back to school or back to school?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/volta-as-aulas-ou-volta-as-aulas.htm. Accessed on February 10, 2022.
