dispatched

USAGE SUMMARY

"dispatched" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that is usually used to mean "send off hastily or quickly." You could use it when talking about the process of sending something or someone somewhere. Example sentence: The sheriff quickly dispatched a squad of deputies to investigate the robbery.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, Google dispatched its troops – known as "trekkers" – on foot, laden with a camera on their backs that looked like an oversized water-cooler.

The Guardian

Pietersen required just 27 balls to make it 150, with Hughes dispatched back over his head for two sixes in one over, the first of which will see the panel-beater at the local garage earn some extra business.

The Guardian - Sport

Inconceivable though it may seem, we must not discount the possibility of a universe where English cricket is not just going to be run a different shade of idiotically, as indicated by the apparent wild goose chase upon which Graves dispatched Pietersen as almost his first act within the job.

The Guardian - Sport

Animals have been at the forefront of political image-making in the US for more than a century, ever since President Theodore Roosevelt was pictured standing triumphantly over big game he had dispatched.

The Guardian

The United Arab Emirates' state news agency says the Gulf nation has dispatched a medical plane to bring three sisters home, nearly 10 months after they were attacked by a hammer-wielding intruder in their luxury London hotel room.

The Guardian

Into the rubble, flooding, and chaos of these distinct cultures and contexts, Cuba dispatched a specialised disaster and epidemic control team to support local health providers.

The Guardian

So the next ball is dispatched through midwicket for four, and the one after that swept again, but this time into space, for another.

The Guardian - Sport

The retailer has pledged to refund customers in full for any orders that have not yet been dispatched.

The Guardian - Business

Spotters on both sides update smugglers on the movements of law enforcement and rafts of families are dispatched to distract the border patrol so drugs can be moved across in unguarded places a little further along the river.

The Guardian

Iain Duncan Smith, leader of the bastards outside the cabinet during the Major government, was dispatched.

The Guardian

Items are delivered three to five days after they are dispatched, so you won't get them the next day as you would with Prime.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your audience. While generally acceptable, "dispatched" can sound slightly formal in very casual contexts. Use synonyms like "sent" for a more relaxed tone.

Common error

Avoid using "dispatched" in overly casual or informal conversations where a simpler word like "sent" would be more appropriate. Using "dispatched" in a casual conversation could sound overly formal or even pretentious.

Linguistic Context

Dispatched functions primarily as the past tense and past participle of the verb "dispatch". It describes the action of sending someone or something to a specific location or for a particular purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, aligning with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dispatched" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "dispatch", indicating the act of sending someone or something, often with a sense of promptness and purpose. Ludwig AI underlines its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in news, sports, and business contexts. While versatile, it's best to reserve "dispatched" for situations where you want to convey efficiency and a degree of formality, opting for simpler terms like "sent" in casual settings. Remember to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing between "dispatched" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sent off

Replaces "dispatched" with a more common and less formal term for sending something or someone.

Dispatched swiftly

Adds emphasis on the speed of sending, akin to the hastiness often implied in "dispatched".

Forwarded

Focuses on the action of sending something along a route or to a destination.

Transmitted

Emphasizes the act of conveying or sending information or signals.

Mailed

Specifically refers to sending something through the postal system.

Shipped

Implies sending goods or items, often commercially.

Relayed

Highlights the act of passing something along, often information or a message.

Directed

Suggests giving instructions for something to be sent or moved.

Routed

Emphasizes the planned path or course of sending something.

Commissioned

Implies that someone was formally sent or assigned to a task.

FAQs

How can I use "dispatched" in a sentence?

You can use "dispatched" to describe the act of sending someone or something quickly and efficiently. For example, "The police "dispatched" officers to the scene of the crime." or "The company "dispatched" the order within 24 hours."

What are some alternatives to "dispatched"?

Alternatives to "dispatched" include "sent off", "forwarded", or "transmitted", depending on the context.

Is "dispatched" formal or informal?

"Dispatched" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal term. In very casual settings, "sent" might be a better choice.

What's the difference between "dispatched" and "sent"?

"Dispatched" often implies a sense of urgency or efficiency in sending something, whereas "sent" is a more general term for the act of sending. "Dispatched" suggests a purposeful and often rapid sending, while "sent" is neutral.