sent to ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sent to ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to aviation or military operations, indicating that an aircraft or missile has been brought down or grounded. Example: "The drone was sent to ground after it lost communication with the control center."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The RV camera images are sent to ground and processed to determine the relative position of the spacecraft.

Acta Astronautica

The signals are processed by one acousto-optical spectrometer and two autocorrelation spectrometers, stored on board and sent to ground.

Acta Astronautica

He was sent to ground zero when the attack occurred and later that day transferred to Downtown Brooklyn.

The New York Times

On Sept. 12, he was sent to ground zero, where, he said, he spent the next 19 days.

The New York Times

Spacecraft to Earth When NASA launches spacecraft and satellites, the data generated, such as scientific measurements, images, and video, are sent to ground stations using radio waves.

Princeton University

In order to make the knobs go counter clockwise the sequence is reversed (white, brown, green, then red wires sent to ground).

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

X-class flares on December 5 and December 6, 2006, for example, triggered a CME that interfered with GPS signals being sent to ground-based receivers," the agency explained.

Forbes

Then a signal sent to the ground warned of a potentially more serious problem.

The New York Times - Science

These count data are attached to the observation data for every energy step and sent to the ground.

Earth, Planets and Space

Then, the averaged image is stored in a data recorder and subsequently sent to the ground station.

Earth, Planets and Space

Mission and HK telemetry packets are created by the CPU and sent to the ground via the MDP.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an aircraft being deliberately downed, use the phrase "sent to ground" to clearly indicate the action was intentional.

Common error

Avoid using "sent to ground" when describing accidental crashes or landings. The phrase implies a deliberate act of forcing something to the ground.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sent to ground" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, often used in the passive voice to describe an action performed upon an object. As Ludwig AI explains, this usage appears frequently in contexts relating to intentional acts that cause an object to fall.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sent to ground" is a prepositional phrase indicating an intentional action causing something to fall or crash. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, carrying a neutral register. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys a deliberate act with potentially destructive consequences. When writing, remember that "sent to ground" implies intention and should not be used for accidental falls. Alternatives such as "brought down", "forced to land", or "crashed" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brought down

This alternative directly implies causing something to fall or crash, similar to a forceful "sent to ground".

forced to land

This suggests a compelled landing, which can be a result of being "sent to ground" but not necessarily through forceful means.

grounded

This implies a restriction from flying, which can be a state after being "sent to ground".

crashed

Focuses on the event of crashing, often a consequence of being "sent to ground".

shot down

This specifically refers to being brought down by weaponry, a subset of scenarios where something is "sent to ground".

made to crash

Emphasizes the action of causing a crash, similar in effect to "sent to ground".

caused to fall

This is a more general phrase emphasizing the action of causing something to fall, akin to the effect of being "sent to ground".

taken out of the sky

This vividly describes the removal of an object from flight, a direct implication of "sent to ground".

incapacitated

Indicates a loss of functionality, potentially leading to something being "sent to ground".

destroyed

This highlights the end result, where being "sent to ground" often leads to destruction.

FAQs

What does "sent to ground" typically mean?

The phrase "sent to ground" usually means that something, often an aircraft or projectile, has been deliberately forced to crash or land.

When is it appropriate to use "sent to ground" in a sentence?

It's appropriate to use "sent to ground" when you want to convey that an object was intentionally brought down, often by some external force or action, similar to "brought down" or "shot down".

Are there more formal alternatives to "sent to ground"?

While "sent to ground" is fairly neutral, more formal alternatives might include "forced to land", depending on the specific context. Note that "forced to land" carries a nuance of less violence.

What's the difference between "sent to ground" and "crashed"?

"Sent to ground" implies an external force caused the object to crash. "Crashed", like "crashed", simply describes the event of crashing, without specifying a cause.