sent them off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sent them off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person or persons being sent away or dispatched to some destination or task. For example: "The teacher sent the students off to their homerooms for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"We produced them, packed them up and sent them off".

The New York Times

She sent them off to the compound to rest.

The New Yorker

That sent them off again, scrambling to Rosenfeld's.

The New Yorker

Across the land, congregations sent them off with food and with prayer.

The New York Times

The marines confiscated the men's phones and sent them off for analysis.

The New Yorker

Hakim sent them off with hugs, clearly happy to share the spotlight.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was worth it though, to send them off happy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He will be sending them off to the Tower.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then we'd send them off somewhere and someone typed them in".

The Guardian - Tech

The sensible solution is to send them off to a professional conversion shop.

The Economist

Then they take the orders and send them off via shipping services, Mr. Keating says.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sent them off" to convey a sense of dispatch or farewell, implying a destination or purpose for their departure. For example, "She sent them off to school with a packed lunch."

Common error

Avoid using "sent them off" when the direction or destination is unclear. The phrase implies a known or understood destination. Instead, use a more general term like "dismissed them" if the destination is irrelevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "sent them off" functions as a transitive verb indicating the action of dispatching or causing someone to leave. Ludwig examples show diverse applications, ranging from sending individuals to school to dispatching teams to specific tasks. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "sent them off" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe dispatching someone to a particular place or task. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, shows that it is suitable for various registers, though most prevalent in news and media. The related phrases provide alternatives for more formal or nuanced situations, and the writing guidance helps avoid common usage errors. Ludwig AI validates the phrase's correct usage in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sent them on their way

A more general way of saying goodbye.

dispatched them

Focuses on the formal act of sending someone for a specific purpose or task.

shipped them out

Implies sending them away, often to a different location.

saw them depart

Emphasizes witnessing their departure.

escorted them away

Indicates providing a formal or protective departure.

waved goodbye to them

Highlights the farewell aspect of sending someone off.

dismissed them

Focuses on the act of formally releasing them.

ushered them out

Highlights guiding them out of a place.

released them

Emphasizes granting them freedom to leave.

kicked them out

Indicates a forced or unwanted departure.

FAQs

How can I use "sent them off" in a sentence?

You can use "sent them off" to describe the act of dispatching someone to a specific place or task. For example, "The coach "sent them off" to practice before the game."

What's a formal alternative to "sent them off"?

A more formal alternative to "sent them off" would be "dispatched them". It conveys a similar meaning but is suitable for professional contexts.

What's the difference between "sent them off" and "sent them away"?

"Sent them off" implies a known or understood destination, while "sent them away" is more general and doesn't necessarily specify where they were sent.

Can I use "sent them off" in all contexts?

While "sent them off" is versatile, it is best suited for situations where the context makes the destination clear. In ambiguous situations, using a more specific verb might be better.