it was sent back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was sent back" is correct and perfectly usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that was sent and then returned or sent back to its original sender. For example, "I received the package I had ordered, but it was sent back due to a manufacturing defect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Most of it was sent back, though some remains missing.

The Economist

Let's hope it was sent back to the drawing board.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Steinberg mailed it to her, but shortly after, it was sent back to Tilles Center.

The New York Times

The bill was passed by the Assembly in January, but it was sent back after the Senate added amendments.

The New York Times

This was not delivered as the postage was apparently underpaid, so it was sent back to the office.

The Guardian - Money

This meant that storm victims would have to wait while it was sent back to the Senate and the next Congress arrived.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

For 15 minutes its engine was failing, but the information it was sending back remained within normal parameters, so the mission crew failed to notice.

Huffington Post

Until a few months ago, the military flew out the vast majority of the equipment it was sending back to the United States.

The Washington Post

He noticed it was sending back unique identifiers for his device and seemed to communicate whether he wanted it to or not.

BBC

He says that its purpose is simply to help the phone determine its location, and that he has seen no evidence that it is sent back to Apple.

The Guardian - Tech

If it is sent back, it will probably be in small boxes, sans the spy gear.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was sent back", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the return to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether it was due to a defect, error, or other issue.

Common error

While "it was sent back" is grammatically correct, overusing passive voice can make writing seem indirect. Consider using active voice when appropriate, such as "they sent it back", to create a more direct and engaging sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was sent back" functions as a passive voice construction. It describes an action performed on 'it' (the subject), where 'it' is the recipient of the action of being returned. As Ludwig AI highlights, this construction is used when the actor performing the action is either unknown or less important than the object.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was sent back" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that describes the action of returning an item to its origin. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While it is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, consider using active voice for greater clarity and directness, and always provide context to clarify the reason for the return. Related alternatives, such as "it was returned", offer subtle variations in meaning that can enhance the precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was returned

Focuses more directly on the action of returning something.

it was brought back

Highlights the action of bringing an item back to its origin.

it was shipped back

Emphasizes the method of return, specifically through shipping.

it was mailed back

Highlights the use of postal services for returning the item.

it was handed back

Suggests a more personal, direct method of returning the item.

it was directed back

Implies that the object was ordered to return.

it was routed back

Focuses on the logistics of the return journey.

it was transported back

Highlights the physical act of moving the object back.

it was deferred

Implies it was postponed or rejected and sent back for reconsideration.

it was retracted

Suggests something was withdrawn or taken back.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was sent back" to sound more active?

You can use the active voice by saying "they sent it back" or "the company sent it back", depending on who performed the action. This makes the sentence more direct and engaging.

What does "it was returned" mean, and how is it different from "it was sent back"?

The phrase "it was returned" generally means that something was given back to its original sender or owner. The nuance between the two is that "sent back" implies it was shipped and came from a different location, and returned implies that the object did not necessarily travel far.

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice "it was sent back" instead of the active voice?

Use the passive voice when the actor is unknown or unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the object being acted upon. For example, "The package "it was sent back" due to insufficient postage."

What are some alternative phrases for "it was sent back" that emphasize the reason for the return?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it was rejected", "it was returned due to defects", or "it was sent back for revisions" to specify the cause of the return.