retrieve the ball

USAGE SUMMARY

"retrieve the ball" is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: "The dog raced across the beach and vanished into the waves, only to emerge a few moments later with a frisbee in his mouth. He then ran back up the beach and dropped it at my feet, awaiting my command to retrieve the ball."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Briefly there was a mêlée as Arsenal tried to retrieve the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

"My job was to retrieve the ball and return it to my superiors".

The New York Times - Sports

Noah scrambled to retrieve the ball, diving on the floor to save it from going out of bounds.

The New York Times - Sports

A significant chunk of the movie involves the boys' efforts to retrieve the ball without being eaten.

The New York Times - Sports

As Paul tried to retrieve the ball, he hit his forehead on Sessions's right shoulder and fell to the court.

The New York Times - Sports

Robert Howley, as he bent to retrieve the ball in these early exchanges, was punched by hooker Michael Foley.

The Guardian - Sport

Cosmo Lubrano, an authenticator who is a sergeant in the New York Police Department, hustled to retrieve the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Mussina scurried to retrieve the ball and tried a backhanded flip that sailed over the head of catcher Jorge Posada.

The New York Times - Sports

Dee Brown, the Raptors guard, never moved toward Oakley to retrieve the ball -- a fundamental tenet of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

He managed to retrieve the ball from a fan — in return, he exchanged an autographed bat and ball — to add to a growing collection of accomplishments.

The New York Times - Sports

A local resident told The Mirror: "The lady had gone to retrieve the ball from the water and the guy went to help her.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In non-sports contexts, consider synonyms like "recover" or "obtain" if "retrieve" feels too literal for the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "retrieve the ball" metaphorically when a simpler term like "find" or "get back" would be more appropriate and less confusing for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retrieve the ball" functions as a verb phrase, where "retrieve" is the main verb and "the ball" is the direct object. According to Ludwig, this phrase is generally correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retrieve the ball" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used primarily to describe the act of regaining possession of a ball, especially in sports contexts. According to Ludwig, the expression is correct and common in the written English. The sources from Ludwig's examples are predominantly news and media outlets, reflecting its prevalence in sports reporting. When writing, it's important to consider whether the context warrants the specific connotation of regaining something that has been lost; simpler terms like "get" or "find" may suffice in non-physical scenarios. Related phrases include alternatives like "get the ball back" or "recover possession".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get the ball back

This alternative directly replaces "retrieve" with "get back", simplifying the wording while maintaining the core meaning.

recover possession

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the act of regaining control of the ball, often used in sports commentary.

win back the ball

This alternative highlights the competitive aspect of regaining the ball, suggesting an effort against an opponent.

regain control of the ball

Similar to "recover possession", this phrase stresses the act of getting the ball under one's control.

secure the ball

This option emphasizes the act of obtaining the ball safely and firmly.

collect the ball

A simpler alternative that focuses on the action of gathering the ball.

fetch the ball

This alternative is more informal and often used when referring to animals or children.

grab the ball

This suggests a quick and assertive action to get the ball.

pick up the ball

This option emphasizes the action of lifting the ball from the ground.

snatch the ball

Implies a sudden and forceful action of taking the ball, often from someone else.

FAQs

How can I use "retrieve the ball" in a sentence?

You can use "retrieve the ball" in sentences like, "The midfielder sprinted to retrieve the ball after the interception" or "The dog's favorite game is to retrieve the ball from the lake".

What are some synonyms for "retrieve the ball"?

Some synonyms for "retrieve the ball" include "get the ball back", "recover possession", or "win back the ball", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "retrieve the ball" in formal writing?

While "retrieve the ball" is grammatically correct, its use is generally confined to descriptions of physical activities like sports. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "recover possession" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "retrieve the ball" and "get the ball"?

"Retrieve the ball" implies an effort to regain something that was lost or out of reach, while "get the ball" is a more general term for simply obtaining the ball.