fetch

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "fetch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to bringing or getting something, or when talking about a dog retrieving a thrown object. Example sentence: "The dog ran quickly to fetch the stick his owner had thrown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They would then order the prisoner to fetch it.

The Guardian

According to Christie's, the jewellery alone is expected to fetch between $35m and $40m when it goes under the hammer.

The Guardian - Film

Then they drove home to fetch a gun – a replica of a Colt 45 – and some blank ammunition and returned.

The Guardian

The simplest way to find this sort of data was to fetch all the articles from our database and then parse the returned JSON.

The Guardian

In 1856, Jones was found to be taking down tombstones and monuments, "selling them for what they would fetch".

The Guardian

It is believed to be the only significant film footage of Saint-Exupéry in existence and is expected to fetch at least €50,000 when it is auctioned at Sotheby's in Paris on 18 May.

The Guardian

They can easily fetch you more money in the marketplace.

The Guardian

Original Banksys can fetch hundreds of thousands of pounds and it appears Dardouna was unaware of who had painted the mural on his wall or what it was worth.

The Guardian

At the tea break on the first day the entire cast and crew scurried off to the far end of the building to fill up on cakes and sandwiches, leaving my head marooned on the set pleading for somebody to fetch me a cup of apple juice and blow my nose.

The Guardian

For pub companies keen to balance their books, offering a pub to a developer can raise more than double the sum it would fetch as a going concern, according to Steve Oliver, director of Paramount Investments, who has been marketing pubs for more than a decade.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The DfE brought a small army, packing out the gallery with so many officials that the receptionist had to fetch extra chairs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fetch", consider the context to ensure it appropriately conveys the level of formality and the specific action of retrieval you intend. For example, in a business context, "retrieve" might be more suitable than "fetch".

Common error

Avoid using "fetch" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise terms like "retrieve", "obtain", or "acquire" may be more appropriate. "Fetch" can sometimes sound too casual.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fetch" is as a verb, indicating the action of going to get something and bringing it back. Ludwig provides many examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts, affirming its role in expressing retrieval or acquisition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fetch" is a versatile verb commonly used to describe the act of going to get something and bringing it back. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and finds frequent use in a variety of contexts, from news articles to everyday conversations. While generally neutral in tone, more formal situations might benefit from synonyms like "retrieve" or "obtain". Remember to consider the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing between "fetch" and its alternatives. Ludwig's examples clearly illustrate how "fetch" is used in both descriptive and imperative contexts, reinforcing its role in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retrieve

Implies a more formal or systematic recovery of something.

bring

A general term for conveying something to a specific place or person.

get

A more informal and versatile term for obtaining something.

obtain

Suggests effort or planning to acquire something.

acquire

Implies gaining possession of something, often over time.

collect

Suggests gathering multiple items or pieces.

secure

Indicates obtaining something with certainty or confidence.

pick up

A more casual way to describe collecting someone or something.

call for

Implies summoning or requesting something to be brought.

draw

Suggests extracting something, often information or a liquid.

FAQs

How can I use "fetch" in a sentence?

You can use "fetch" to describe the action of going to get something and bringing it back. For example, "Could you fetch me a glass of water?" or "The dog loves to fetch the ball."

What is a more formal alternative to "fetch"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "retrieve", "obtain", or "acquire" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "fetch" appropriate for technical writing?

While "fetch" is generally understood, technical writing often benefits from more precise language. In technical contexts, consider using "retrieve" when referring to data or information.

What's the difference between "fetch" and "bring"?

"Fetch" implies going to get something from a distance and bringing it back, whereas "bring" simply means to carry something to a particular place or person, regardless of the distance involved.