deliver back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deliver back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to giving, returning, or submitting something. For example: "I asked the delivery service to deliver back the package to the sender."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

And if you ask a non-Brit to describe Mr Bean, these are the words they deliver back: hapless, awkward, self-conscious, childlike, disaster-prone... and British.

The Guardian - Film

Police in England and Wales collect intelligence on individuals and then feed it to the NPOIU which, Setchell said, "can read across" all the forces' intelligence and deliver back to them "coherent" assessments.

The Guardian

He had sandwiches to deliver back at the office, but Mr. Magliaro said he was planning to drink his soda on the way - not an easy feat given that his 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis has no cup holders.

The New York Times

Many analysts argued at the time that G4S – the result of an earlier merger between Group 4 and Securicor – should concentrate on its core protection work where it had won a groundbreaking contract to deliver back office functions for Lincolnshire police – the first of its kind by a British Police Authority.

The Guardian - Business

Waxing crankier, Owen takes some digs at solar power, net metering (which gives people credit for wind or solar power they deliver back to the grid) and distributed generation: he claims they spur growth and consumption in the 'burbs, though he doesn't give their proponents a chance to rebut his charges, and many of his assertions have a "just so" flavor.

The New York Times - Books

However, the BBC declined to reveal how much of the £133m (which is supposed to last to run the service until 2017) has actually been spent or how much of the £95m of benefits DMI was supposed to deliver back to the corporation have been achieved.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

As a result, hundreds of people packed into the Maranatha Baptist Church in the town of Plains to listen to the 90-year-old deliver back-to-back bible lessons.

Independent

Can Wade deliver back-to-back healthy seasons?

Los Angeles Times

His warning, delivered back in Connecticut, proved prophetic.

The New York Times - Travel

After lunch, the service reverses, and the empty boxes are delivered back home.

The New York Times

Then we are delivered back to the inescapable and chilling reality outside the theater's doors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deliver back" to emphasize the act of returning something, especially when it involves a service or process of delivery.

Common error

Avoid using "deliver back" in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives like "return" or "give back" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliver back" functions as a phrasal verb, combining the action of delivering with the idea of returning something to its origin or previous state. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests a structured or serviced return.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deliver back" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the act of returning something, often through a structured process or service. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts but particularly relevant when emphasizing a deliberate return action. While the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, it maintains a neutral register, making it a versatile choice for professional and general communication. Consider alternatives like "return" or "send back" for simpler or more casual situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give back

A more general term for returning something, often with a positive connotation.

bring back

Highlights the action of retrieving and returning something to the original place.

return

Focuses solely on the action of giving something back.

hand back

Suggests a direct, personal return of something.

send back

Emphasizes the act of dispatching something to its origin.

pass back

Indicates a transfer or return of something within a group or system.

restore

Implies returning something to its original condition or place.

reimburse

Specifies the act of giving back money or equivalent value.

supply

Focuses on the act of providing or furnishing something.

submit

Suggests formally presenting or returning something, like a document.

FAQs

How can I use "deliver back" in a sentence?

You can use "deliver back" when you want to emphasize the returning of something, especially by a service. For example, "I asked the courier to "deliver back" the package to the sender".

What's the difference between "deliver back" and "give back"?

"Deliver back" implies a more formal or structured return, often involving a delivery service or system, whereas "give back" is more general and can be used in casual contexts. "Can you "give back" my pen?" versus "Please arrange to "deliver back" the documents by Friday".

What can I say instead of "deliver back"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "return", "send back", or "bring back". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "deliver back" formal or informal?

"Deliver back" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both professional and general contexts, particularly when discussing a process of returning something through a service or system. It is not highly formal, but also not overly casual.