obtain back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain back" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. Example: "I need to obtain back the documents I lent you last month."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The union, Local 32BJ S.E.I.U., praised Mr. Spitzer's efforts to obtain back pay for workers and strengthen oversight of corporations.

The New York Times

During much of 1783 and 1784, Howe returned frequently to Philadelphia, New York, and other cities in the northeast in an attempt to settle accounts and obtain back payments he claimed he was owed by Congress.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The sultans, emirs, and sheikhs were drawn from the tribes, whom they had to cosset to obtain backing.

Britannica

Although he was himself a pianist of no consequence, Wagner depended heavily on the piano in the hands of the small army of virtuosos he cajoled into performing transcriptions of his operas for the princes and businessmen from whom he hoped to obtain backing to produce his grandiose theatrical projects.

Yale University

After setting the interpretive argument, researchers perform logical and empirical investigations and obtain backing and/or rebuttal.

Language Testing in Asia

Following the framework of an argument-based approach to test validation, this study attempts to obtain backing for the Evaluation and Explanation inferences.

Language Testing in Asia

But we know women in South America risk their lives every day to obtain back-alley abortions, with 95percentt of abortions in the region performed in unsafe conditions.

Huffington Post

This achievement helped him to obtain backing for his Southern Cross Expedition, which became the first to overwinter on the Antarctic mainland, and the first to visit the Great Ice Barrier since the expedition of Sir James Ross nearly sixty years previously.

Wikipedia

During this same period, but in the Brussels context, an ENT doctor approached the Brussels-Capital Health and SObservatoryvatory tobtainin backing to introduce newborn hearing screening in the region.

Health Research Policy and Systems

The Fourier like transform is taken for the obtained back scattered field e x, y, z, t) where z = 0.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

We obtained back trajectory maps for the 14 days with the most notably elevated HRs, which were all associated with high-altitude winds from the northwest.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "obtain back" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives such as "get back", "retrieve", or "recover".

Common error

Using "obtain back" is often redundant, as "obtain" already implies acquiring something. Using 'back' with 'obtain' can make the sentence sound awkward. Choose a more concise and natural wording.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain back" functions as a verb phrase aiming to describe the action of retrieving something. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as not correct in standard written English, indicating that it doesn't follow conventional grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "obtain back" might seem intuitive, it's generally considered incorrect in standard written English. Ludwig AI points out that it is not a commonly used expression. Grammatically, the phrase is often redundant because "obtain" already means to get or acquire something. For clearer and more effective communication, opt for alternatives like "get back", "retrieve", or "recover". These alternatives provide more precise and grammatically sound ways to express the intention of retrieving something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get back

This is a more common and idiomatic way to express retrieving something.

retrieve

This implies a more formal and deliberate process of getting something back.

recover

This suggests getting something back after it was lost or taken away.

reacquire

This indicates obtaining something again, usually after losing it.

win back

This suggests regaining something through effort or competition.

reclaim

This indicates asserting a right to get something back.

regain

This suggests getting something back, often in reference to abstract things like control or strength.

secure return

This emphasizes the act of ensuring something is brought back safely or successfully.

effectuate restitution

This implies a legal or formal process of restoring something to its rightful owner.

cause to be returned

This is a more roundabout way of saying to get something back.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "obtain back"?

Instead of "obtain back", consider using alternatives like "get back", "retrieve", or "recover" depending on the context.

Is "obtain back" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "obtain back" is not considered standard English. It's generally better to use a single word like "retrieve" or a phrasal verb like "get back".

When is it appropriate to use "obtain back"?

It's rarely, if ever, the best choice. In most cases, a more common alternative will be clearer and more grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "obtain" and "obtain back"?

"Obtain" means to get or acquire something. Adding "back" is usually redundant because "obtain" already implies possession. Use "get back" if you want to emphasize the return of something.