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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Back to the future /return ?
Back to the future /return ?

Lancillotta:
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Back to the future /return ?
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Hi,
one of my students asked me why we say "back to the future" and not
"return to the future".
I think it is an expression and there isn �t a specific rule . Am I right?
What do you think?
Sabrina
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5 Nov 2010
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boydegg
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I think it �s because of the hit film �Back to the Future � in which Marty McFly needs help to get back to the future (he �s trapped in the 1950s).
I suppose they could just as easily have called the film �Return to the Future �.
Brian |
5 Nov 2010
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edrodmedina
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I had the same question when I first saw the movie. I think it was done on purpose sort of to create an oximoron with the title. I mean how can you go back if you are going to the future. |
5 Nov 2010
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Lancillotta:
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Thanks boydegg and edrodmedina.
Endrodmedina, you are right! That �s the point.
Thanks so much !
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5 Nov 2010
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Bruna Dutra
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I believe that one of the reasons is the sound: Back to the Future sounds better than Return to the future, and also, I believe it would require the addition of an article (The return).
Also, in the movie Doc keeps saying to Marty: We need to [go BACK] TO THE FUTURE.
I think this is it, dear Sabrina! BTW... nice to see you around!! 
See you, guys.
Bruna
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5 Nov 2010
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foose1
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In the first movie, they had a need to return back to the future from 1955. So, why would the second movie �s title be changed when it is the second part of the first movie? The second movie is just a continuation of the first. So, why not keep it somehow tied together? After all, they did go through a lot of trouble to get back to the future. |
5 Nov 2010
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boydegg
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Yes that �s it ... he wants to get back to the place he started. And the place he started is 1985. Since he �s now in 1955, that �s the future.
Edrodmina makes a good point - it �s a nice play on words.
And I agree with Bruna ... it just sounds better than Return to the Future.
Huey Lewis makes another nice play on words in one of the movie �s songs:
Take me away, I don �t mind.
So long as you promise me I �ll be BACK IN TIME.
Yes - I �m a huge BTTF nerd!
Brian |
5 Nov 2010
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