are not returned to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not returned to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is not sent back to a previous state, location, or condition. Example: "The items are not returned to their original packaging after the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

They are not returned to the park.

The New York Times - Books

The exhaust gases are not returned to the engine.

The New York Times - Travel

But in an open loop reverse supply chain, used products are not returned to original producers, outsider firms recover them.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

The photocopies are not returned to the library; and the record shows that, in most instances, researchers keep them in their private files for future reference.

Harvard University

When they return, more than half are not returned to their original schools and can face difficult transitions - new teachers, new friends and new classes.

The Washington Post

Sometimes, inmates' personal items, like wallets, purses, cellphones and identification, are not returned to them when they leave because the property room is closed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The truth is that we are not returning to the dark ages".

The Guardian

The bodies were not returned to their families.

The Economist

But the charges were not dropped, and his passport was not returned to him.

Independent

They were not returned to Afghanistan, and are not believed to be there now.

The Guardian

Any relation to Vito Fossella, the Staten Island Republican who was not returned to Congress this year?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are not returned to" when you want to emphasize that something is not being sent back to its original state, location, or owner. It's often used in formal or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "are not returned to" when you mean something actively prevents the return. For example, instead of saying "The package are not returned to sender because of incomplete address" say "The package was not returned to sender because of an incomplete address".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not returned to" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject receives the action rather than performing it. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase indicates that something is not being sent back or restored. It's commonly used to describe policies, procedures, or conditions where something is withheld from being sent back.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

37%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are not returned to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that employs a passive construction to indicate that something is not sent back or restored to a previous state. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, predominantly in science, news and media, and academia. While grammatically sound, users should be mindful of maintaining consistency in tone and register and consider alternatives like "are not sent back to" or "are not restored to" for nuanced emphasis. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively use "are not returned to" to convey information clearly and professionally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not sent back to

Uses "sent back" instead of "returned", emphasizing the action of sending.

are not restored to

Focuses on the idea of being brought back to a former condition or state.

are not reverted to

Emphasizes a reversal to a previous state or system.

are not given back to

Highlights the act of giving something back to someone.

are not remitted to

Suggests a formal or official process of sending back.

do not go back to

More informal phrasing that conveys a similar meaning.

are not handed back to

Emphasizes the physical act of handing something back.

are not refunded to

Specifically related to money or payments.

are not conveyed back to

More formal and emphasizes the transfer back.

are not transmitted back to

Suggests a technological or signal related transfer.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are not returned to" to sound more active?

You can rephrase it to use an active voice construction. For example, instead of "The items are not returned to the store", you could say "The store does not return the items" or "We do not return the items to the store".

What's a more formal alternative to "are not returned to"?

A more formal alternative could be "are not remitted to" or "are not conveyed back to", depending on the specific context. The phrase "are not remitted to" often implies a formal or official process.

Is it grammatically correct to say "is not returned to" instead of "are not returned to"?

No, "is not returned to" is for singular nouns, while "are not returned to" is for plural nouns. For example, "The item is not returned to the seller", but "The items are not returned to the seller".

When is it appropriate to use "are not returned to" in a sentence?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize the passive nature of something not being sent back or restored. For instance, "Documents are not returned to participants for privacy reasons" focuses on the action not being performed.