fetch back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fetch back" is not commonly used in standard written English and may be considered awkward or incorrect.
It could be used in informal contexts to mean retrieving something that was previously obtained or taken away. Example: "Can you fetch back the book I lent you last month?"

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A tense rally ends with Baghdatis absolutely launching the ball down court, then smashing Nalbandian's floated fetch back at him.

The Guardian - Sport

For now, though, Jason's job is to fetch back the Palladium, which has been carried away, along with Medea, by a winged screechy creature (possibly left over from when Merlin occupied this Saturday evening slot).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the scariest images in a story whose protagonist harbors a pathological fear of women, are the leering faces of three prostitutes he encounters in the pub where his mother regularly sends him to fetch back her husband.

The New York Times

"I needed to fetch back our data, but I had to wait until he admitted he had not got long left.

BBC

Our ability to fetch back the proteins documented in MEROPS from PDB illustrates the applicability and the reliability of the method.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A couple of pots were launched and then fetched back, empty.

The New York Times - Arts

But that evening he was fetched back to find her in a greatly excited state, apparently as ill as ever.

The New Yorker

The film also gives the story a prologue in which its central character, Lyubov Ranevskaya (Charlotte Rampling), is fetched back home from Paris.

The New York Times

True to the genre's form, Macfarlane at length fetches back some old natural wisdom: "I now understand it certainly to be the case, though I have long imagined it to be true, that stretches of a path might carry memories of a person just as a person might of a path".

The Guardian - Books

Every Saturday I would say I needed fresh air or a glass of water or something, and then I would slip out to their back garden knowing Angela would never dare come out and fetch me back.

The Guardian - Books

Eventually, his fiancée (who Frank would no doubt consider a "first-rate girl") comes to fetch him back to America.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and formality, consider using "retrieve" or "bring back" instead of "fetch back".

Common error

While "fetch back" is understandable, it can sound less polished in formal contexts. Opt for stronger, more precise verbs like "retrieve" or "recover" to enhance your writing's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "fetch back" functions primarily as a verb of retrieval, indicating the act of going to get something and returning with it. While understandable, Ludwig AI indicates it's less common than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically understandable, the phrasal verb "fetch back" is relatively rare in contemporary English. As Ludwig AI points out, established alternatives like "bring back" or "retrieve" are generally preferred, especially in formal writing. Its primary function is to describe the action of retrieving someone or something. While found in news and media, it's less common in academic or business contexts. Therefore, consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use "fetch back", opting for clearer and more widely accepted alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring back

Simple substitution with a more common and widely accepted phrasal verb.

retrieve

A more formal single-word alternative emphasizing the act of getting something back.

get back

A very general phrase for recovering something, often used in informal contexts.

recover

Implies regaining possession of something lost or stolen.

reclaim

Suggests asserting a right to get something back.

win back

Implies effort or competition to regain something.

draw back

Often used in military or strategic contexts, meaning to retreat or withdraw.

call back

Referring to return a phone call.

sell back

Specific to selling something back to the original owner or seller.

extract back

Specifically used in scientific context to indicate the recovery of a substance.

FAQs

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

You can use "fetch back" in sentences like, "The dog can "fetch" the ball, but I need to "fetch back" the stick." However, consider using alternatives like "bring back" or "retrieve" for more formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "fetch back"?

Alternatives to "fetch back" include "bring back", "retrieve", or "recover", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "fetch back"?

While understandable, "fetch back" is less common and can sound awkward in formal writing. Consider using established alternatives like "bring back" or "retrieve".

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

"Fetch back" and "bring back" are similar, but "bring back" is more widely used and accepted. "Fetch back" can sound redundant, as "fetch" already implies bringing something back.