returned to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "returned to me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something has come back to the speaker after being away or lost. Example: "After a long wait, the book I lent to my friend was finally returned to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were returned to me in shreds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The dream I had been dreaming returned to me.

The New Yorker

"Vincent's was returned to me several months ago.

The Guardian

A. Yes, and it was returned to me.

The Guardian

It was returned to me covered with scratches, and it still didn't work.

The New York Times

Letterman returned to me, as he did for many people, in college.

The New Yorker

Q: One of my submissions was returned to me requesting more information.

Cornell University

That image returned to me as I watched Obama campaign in Lebanon.

The New York Times - Magazine

My old swagger, my boundless self-confidence are missing, and I want them returned to me.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Return to me.

The New York Times - Magazine

I felt life return to me again.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "returned to me" when you want to clearly state that something was previously in someone else's possession or control and is now back with you.

Common error

While "returned to me" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "reverted to my possession" or "was re-entrusted to me" in legal or highly professional settings to maintain a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "returned to me" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject experienced the action of being returned. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in written English. The emphasis is on the recipient (me) of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "returned to me" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for indicating that something has been given back or restored. As Ludwig AI verifies, it is correct and usable in various contexts, from casual conversation to formal writing. While alternatives like "was given back to me" or "came back to me" exist, "returned to me" provides a clear and direct way to express the regaining of possession. The phrase enjoys consistent usage across news, academic, and business domains, making it a versatile choice for diverse communication needs. While generally neutral in tone, be mindful of even more formal options in strictly professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was given back to me

Emphasizes the act of giving something back.

was handed back to me

Highlights the physical action of returning something.

came back to me

A more casual way of saying something was returned.

was restored to me

Suggests a return to a former condition or state.

was given back into my hands

Emphasizes physical control and possession.

was sent back to me

Focuses on the sending action, often implying distance.

was released back to me

Implies a release from some form of constraint or holding.

reverted to my possession

A more formal and legalistic way of expressing return of ownership.

was relinquished to me

Suggests the previous holder gave up their claim or possession.

was re-entrusted to me

Implies a renewed trust or responsibility in the item being returned.

FAQs

How can I use "returned to me" in a sentence?

You can use "returned to me" to indicate that something that was once not in your possession is now back with you. For example, "The book I lent her was finally returned to me."

What can I say instead of "returned to me"?

You can use alternatives like "was given back to me", "came back to me", or "was restored to me" depending on the context.

Is "returned to me" formal or informal?

"Returned to me" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal or legal settings, you might prefer phrases like "reverted to my possession".

What's the difference between "returned to me" and "sent back to me"?

"Returned to me" is a general term for something coming back to you. "Sent back to me" specifically implies that the item was physically mailed or shipped back to you, often from a distance.