ship it back

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "ship it back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression when you want to indicate that something needs to be sent back to its original location, for example: "I received the wrong item in the mail - ship it back to the store right away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

If you ship an order to an Amazon fulfillment center that does not meet its requirements, Amazon may ship it back to you at your expense.

WikiHow

"It was just too expensive to ship it back," he said.

The New Yorker

He'd use it for three months, then ship it back to me.

The New York Times

After three months, I asked him to ship it back, which he did.

The New York Times

The company will repair it and ship it back in four to six weeks.

The New York Times

Once you have gone through the process of getting furniture over here, you are not going to ship it back.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The stone took the fancy of a Japanese general who shipped it back as booty; and soon it found its way to the Yasukuni shrine.

The Economist

Palmer, a small station with just 40 residents in the summer, no longer burns its waste but rather "retrogrades" it, jargon for shipping it back north.

Los Angeles Times

The automaker then ships it back to the United States.

The New York Times

After inspecting the air-raid shelter and finding Goring's art, the Americans started shipping it back to Unterstein.

The New Yorker

When a core needs a particular chunk of data, it broadcasts a request to all the other cores, and whichever one has the data ships it back.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to return an item, be clear about who is responsible for covering the shipping costs. For example: "Please pack the item securely and ship it back to us, and we will reimburse the shipping fee."

Common error

Avoid assuming that the sender always pays for return shipping. Clearly state the return policy upfront to prevent customer dissatisfaction. For instance: "If the product is defective, we will cover the cost to ship it back. Otherwise, the customer is responsible for return shipping fees."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "ship it back" functions primarily as a directive, instructing or describing the action of returning an item via a shipping service. Ludwig confirms its validity, providing numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ship it back" is a commonly used phrasal verb that instructs or describes returning an item via a shipping service. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Wiki. The phrase has a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. If you're looking for alternatives, consider phrases like "return it" or "send it back". Remember to clearly communicate return shipping policies to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Send it back

A simpler and more direct alternative.

Return it

A more general term for sending something back.

Mail it back

Specifies the method of return as using postal services.

Return for a refund

Highlights the purpose of returning the item which is to get money back.

Dispatch it back

Uses a more formal verb, dispatch, implying a more organized return process.

Process a return

Focuses on the administrative aspect of the return.

Take it back

Similar to 'hand it back' but implies the action of taking is toward the sender's location.

Hand it back

Indicates a direct, physical return of an item.

Send it in for repair

Highlights the intention of sending the item back for fixing.

Remit it

A more formal and less common way of saying to send something back.

FAQs

What does it mean to "ship it back"?

To "ship it back" means to return an item to its sender, typically through a postal or courier service. This is commonly done when returning a purchase or sending something back for repair.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "ship it back"?

You can use "ship it back" in contexts where you are discussing the return of a physical item. For example, you might say, "If you're not satisfied with the product, you can "send it back" for a full refund".

Are there alternative phrases for "ship it back"?

Yes, alternatives include "return it", "send it back", or "mail it back". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Who typically pays to "ship it back"?

The responsibility for return shipping costs varies. Sometimes, the seller provides a prepaid shipping label, covering the cost to "mail it back". In other cases, the buyer is responsible for these costs. It's important to check the seller's return policy.