repatriate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "repatriate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of returning someone or something to their country of origin, often in the context of people or assets. Example: "The government has decided to repatriate the citizens who were stranded abroad during the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He can't yet be sure whether he can persuade other member states to get around the table to discuss his plan to reform the European Union and repatriate some as yet unspecified powers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Australian officials believe countries are focused on processes to repatriate their own citizens first and that their acceptance of infected non-nationals could set a precedent for others.

The Guardian

David Cameron's talk of "ongoing discussion", and Merkel's remark that there had been no talk of "technicalities" hardly masked the fact that the chancellor is still unwilling to give the prime minister what he wants: treaty changes to repatriate powers to Britain, in exchange for the treaty changes Merkel needs to achieve fiscal union within the eurozone.

The Guardian

But Osborne used the opportunity to warn that Britain would be "resolute and firm" in seeking to repatriate powers before a referendum on whether the UK should quit the union.

The Guardian - Business

David Cameron will use EU reforms to repatriate and weaken workers' rights, Frances O'Grady, the new leader of the Trades Union Congress will warn on Monday.

The Guardian

The prime minister wants to repatriate those rights, and not because he thinks he can improve them.

The Guardian

In 2003, then-immigration minister Philip Ruddock struck a deal to repatriate 190 Iranian nationals during a visit to Tehran.

The Guardian

He has pledged to repatriate powers before an in-out referendum if the Tories win the election, and has refused to rule out campaigning for a no vote if other member states blocked the changes he wants.

The Guardian

Argentina is seeking to repatriate $3.5bn it claims HSBC secretly helped clients funnel into offshore accounts to evade tax.

The Guardian - Business

And until now, precious little detail has trickled through to Berlin about what policy areas Cameron wants to "repatriate".

The Guardian - Opinion

In the early 1990s, on payment of a "whitening tax" into Myanmar's near-empty treasury, Mr Lo was allowed to repatriate the funds he had stowed offshore.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "repatriate" when referring to the act of returning people, assets, or powers to their country or place of origin. For instance, "The government decided to repatriate its citizens stranded abroad."

Common error

Avoid using "repatriate" when a simple return is meant. "Repatriate" implies a formal or official process of returning to one's country or origin, often across borders or after a significant absence. For instance, don't say "He repatriated home after work"; instead, say "He returned home after work."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "repatriate" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It describes the action of returning someone or something to their country of origin. Ludwig AI confirms that "repatriate" is appropriate in various contexts, such as returning citizens, assets, or powers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "repatriate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used transitive verb signifying the act of returning someone or something to their country of origin. It is commonly found in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for describing the return of citizens, assets, or powers. While related to terms like "return to one's homeland" and "bring back to the country", it carries a specific connotation of a formal or official process. It's crucial to avoid using it when a simple return is intended, maintaining its specific meaning for actions that involve crossing borders or significant periods of absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to one's homeland

Emphasizes a personal and emotional connection to the country of origin.

bring back to the country

Focuses on the physical act of returning someone or something.

restore to the native land

Highlights the act of returning something to its original state or location.

send back to the motherland

Implies a cultural or nationalistic connection to the country of origin.

deport to the country of origin

Specifically refers to the forced return of someone, often due to legal reasons.

extradite to their nation

Refers to the legal process of transferring someone to another country to face charges.

ship back to their homeland

Focuses on the logistical aspect of returning something to its origin.

transfer back to their native country

Emphasizes the act of moving someone or something back to their country of origin.

evacuate to the home country

Suggests a return due to emergency or unsafe conditions.

resettle in the original country

Focuses on the act of establishing a new home in one's country of origin.

FAQs

How to use "repatriate" in a sentence?

The word "repatriate" is used to describe the act of returning someone or something to their country of origin. For example, "The company decided to "repatriate profits" to avoid higher taxes."

What can I say instead of "repatriate"?

You can use alternatives like "return to one's homeland", "bring back to the country", or "restore to the native land" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "repatriate" or "deport"?

"Repatriate" generally refers to the voluntary or organized return to one's country. "Deport" refers to the forced removal of a person from a country, typically due to legal reasons.

What's the difference between "repatriate" and "return"?

"Repatriate" often implies a formal or official process of returning someone or something to their country of origin, typically across borders or after a significant absence. "Return" is a more general term that simply means to go or send back to a place.