fetches for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fetches for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to convey the idea of retrieving or obtaining something. Example: "He fetches for the ball every time it rolls away."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's about a third more expensive than the average beer deal, and it's also about double the multiple that Kirin fetches for its own earnings.

The New York Times

C1 Business Digest C1 EDITORIAL A18-19 EdiTerroristTerrorist attacks on reactor pools; how to hurt American business; killing off housing for the poor; Congress fetches for the gun lobby.

The New York Times

Strong overseas demand has pushed its terms of trade (the price it fetches for its exports, relative to the price it must pay for imports) to a 37-year high (see chart).Looming large in this surplus are dairy products butter, cheese and especially milk powder which accounted for over a quarter of New Zealand's merchandise exports.

The Economist

Since 1995, a relative peak in commodity chemical prices, the prices Dow fetches for chemicals and plastics have dropped an average of 21% ; its earnings (before one-time items) will be off somewhat more than that.

Forbes

The several engines nearly saturate the four local DDR3 interfaces with hash bucket read bursts and reference sequence fetches for alignment.

Genome Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Being both Tutsi and Hutu, I fetched for everybody with my small bucket.

The New Yorker

He said if you're Hutu you should fetch for the Tutsis or the Twa.

The New Yorker

But Treasury pushed back, seeking to maximize the price it fetched for its shares.

The New York Times

The prices fetched for his German silver collection, Mr. Porter said, were particularly strong.

The New York Times - Arts

She's going to make the turkey, and the somewhat senile grandmother will be fetched for dinner.

The Guardian - Film

The price invited comparisons to the record $104.1 million recently fetched for Picasso's "Boy With a Pipe".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the act of retrieving, it's best practice to use "fetches" without the preposition "for" to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, "The dog fetches the ball" is preferable to "The dog fetches for the ball."

Common error

Avoid adding "for" after "fetch" when describing the act of retrieval. The verb "fetch" already implies the action of going to get something, making "for" redundant and grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fetches for" functions primarily as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, though its usage is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, it is nonstandard and should be avoided in favor of using only "fetches".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fetches for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, it's best to use "fetches" without the addition of "for". While the phrase appears across various contexts like news, its infrequent and incorrect usage means alternative phrases should be preferred to convey the intended meaning of retrieving or obtaining something. Correct alternatives are "fetches", "retrieves", or "obtains".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Retrieves

This alternative focuses on the action of getting something and bringing it back, omitting the preposition.

Obtains

This alternative emphasizes the act of gaining or acquiring something, without necessarily implying physical movement.

Acquires

This alternative highlights the process of coming into possession of something, often through effort or purchase.

Gets

This alternative is a more general term for obtaining something, lacking the specific nuance of "fetching".

Earns

This focuses on the idea of gaining something as a result of effort or merit, shifting the emphasis from simple retrieval.

Brings in

This alternative suggests the action of yielding or generating something, often in a financial or economic context.

Attracts

This alternative describes the action of drawing something towards oneself, emphasizing appeal or allure.

Pulls in

This alternative suggests drawing something or someone towards oneself, often implying effort.

Secures

This alternative conveys the idea of obtaining something with certainty and protection, adding a layer of assurance.

Yields

This alternative highlights the result or output produced, often in a context of investment or effort.

FAQs

What does "fetches" mean without the addition of "for"?

The verb "fetch" means to go and get something or someone and bring them back. Adding "for" after "fetches" is grammatically incorrect.

Is it ever correct to use "fetches for" in a sentence?

While the phrase "fetches for" occasionally appears, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "fetches" alone or choose alternative phrases like "retrieves", "obtains", or "acquires".

What are some alternatives to "fetches for" that maintain a similar meaning?

Depending on the context, you can replace "fetches for" with single-word verbs like "retrieves" or "obtains". Consider also using phrases such as "brings in" or "secures".

How can I avoid using "fetches for" in my writing?

Review your sentences to ensure the word "fetch" is not followed by the preposition "for". Replace the phrase with a single word like "fetches" or a different verb entirely. For example, instead of saying "He fetches for water", say "He fetches water".