sent back

USAGE SUMMARY

"sent back" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when something is returned to its original place or person. For example, "The envelope was sent back to the sender due to insufficient postage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most were sent back.

The New York Times

She had it sent back.

The New York Times

I was sent back".

The Guardian - Books

Marta is sent back.

The New Yorker

Each time, he was sent back.

The New York Times

I sent back the laptop and waited.

The New York Times

Palestinians caught crossing are usually sent back.

The Economist

They were sent back on indefinite loan.

The New York Times - Arts

Close to thirty sent back today.

The New Yorker

Juan was sent back to Havana.

The Economist

Kargbo was sent back to jail.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sent back" when you want to clearly communicate that something or someone was returned to its original location or state. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what initiated the return.

Common error

Avoid using "sent back" passively when the subject actively chose to return. For example, instead of saying "He was sent back home", clarify with "He returned home" if he made the decision himself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sent back" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, specifically the past participle form. It indicates the action of returning someone or something to a previous location or state. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "sent back" is used to describe people being deported, items being returned, or data being transmitted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sent back" is a very common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the action of returning something or someone to its original place or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also sees usage in Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using "sent back", ensure the context makes clear the agency behind the return and avoid passive constructions when the subject acted voluntarily. Consider alternatives like ""returned"" or ""deported"" to more precisely convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returned

This is a more general term indicating something was brought back.

shipped back

Emphasizes the act of sending something via a shipping service.

deported

Specifically refers to the expulsion of a person from a country.

repatriated

Indicates the return of someone to their country of origin.

expelled

Implies a forced removal from a place or organization.

redirected

Highlights a change in direction back to the origin.

bounced back

Suggests a quick or resilient return.

reverted

Implies a return to a previous condition or practice.

recalled

Suggests bringing something back, often due to a defect or issue.

dispatched back

Highlights the act of sending something back quickly.

FAQs

How to use "sent back" in a sentence?

You can use "sent back" to indicate that someone or something was returned to its original place or condition. For example, "The defective product was "returned" to the manufacturer" or "The refugee was "deported" to his home country".

What can I say instead of "sent back"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""returned"", ""deported"", "shipped back", or "repatriated depending on the context".

When should I use "sent back" versus "returned"?

"Sent back" implies a more deliberate act of returning something, often by an external force or process. "Returned" is a more general term that can include voluntary actions.

Is "being sent back" grammatically correct?

Yes, "being sent back" is grammatically correct. It is the present continuous passive form, used to describe an ongoing action. For example, "He is "being sent back" to his country of origin while the investigation is ongoing".