put back

USAGE SUMMARY

"put back" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing the idea of returning something to its original place. For example: "Please put the book back on the shelf when you're done reading it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The game was put back.

The Guardian - Sport

Put back the bird.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Furniture was put back in place.

The New Yorker

Jumbled events are put back in order.

The Economist

Get your arms put back in".

Independent

Put back in the fridge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"What were you going to put back?

The New York Times

That was put back to 2000.

The Guardian - Music

Ronnie misses, and is put back.

The Guardian - Sport

It wasn't easy to put back together.

The Guardian - Arts

"I put back all the ballet music.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put back" to clearly indicate the action of returning something to its original location or state. This phrasal verb is versatile and easily understood in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "put back" when you mean to say that something has been delayed. Although "put back" can refer to rescheduling, it's clearer to use alternatives like "postpone" or "reschedule" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "put back" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring an object. It signifies the action of returning something to its original place or condition. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely accepted and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put back" is a versatile phrasal verb widely used to express the action of returning something to its original location, restoring a condition, or rescheduling an event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its widespread presence across diverse sources such as news articles, scientific publications, and wikis demonstrates its broad applicability. While generally straightforward, it's essential to avoid ambiguity by using more specific terms like "postpone" or "reschedule" when referring to time-related contexts. Remembering these nuances will ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give back

A more casual and direct synonym for returning something.

return

Focuses solely on the action of giving something back to its original location or state.

replace

Highlights the act of substituting something to bring it back to its initial condition.

restore

Emphasizes returning something to a former condition, often implying repair or improvement.

reinstate

Suggests bringing back to a previous position or condition, often in a more formal or official context.

set back

Can refer to returning something, but also implies causing a delay or setback.

reschedule

Specifically refers to changing the time of an event to a later date.

postpone

Indicates delaying an event to a future time.

defer

Implies a more formal postponement, often to a specific future date.

reinstall

Specifically refers to installing something again, often in a technical context.

FAQs

How do I use "put back" in a sentence?

You can use "put back" to describe the action of returning an item to its original location, such as, "Please "put the book back" on the shelf."

What's the difference between "put back" and "return"?

While both words mean to give something back, "put back" often implies placing something in a specific, known location. "Return" is more general and doesn't necessarily specify where the item is going.

Can "put back" refer to time?

Yes, "put back" can mean to reschedule something for a later time. For example, "The meeting was "put back to Friday"."

What are some alternatives to "put back" when referring to postponing an event?

Instead of "put back", you can use "postpone", "reschedule", or "delay". Each carries a similar meaning of moving something to a later time.