get back to x go back to

[beachboy]

I've got to get back to studying.
I've got to go back to studying.
Any difference in meaning between the two sentences? If not, which one is more common in everyday English?

 

[BobK]

Generally 'get back' to a habit or practise:

I must get back to playing the guitar every day.

'go back' to a state/condition/place

At the age of 52 he found that he had to go back to square one and learn a new job.

However, often a place implies both a condition/state and a habit/practice. So usages can overlap - e.g

They wanted TO* get back to the Garden of Eden.

(If they really meant a place, you might expect 'go'. As usual, only the context can tell you which is best. )

b

 

[5jj]

As usual, only the context can tell you which is best.

:up: