surrender them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surrender them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being asked or ordered to give up or hand over something, often in a formal or authoritative manner. Example: "The commander ordered the soldiers to surrender them to the enemy forces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

She said she would go to jail rather than surrender them to Congress.

The New York Times

A U.S. posse pursued the raiders and captured several of them, but it was forced to surrender them to the Canadian authorities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many were unable to renegotiate their companies' debt quickly enough and had to surrender them to creditors, sometimes in dramatic circumstances.

The Economist

The millions of homes built during the boom have created a drag on the current market as the owners surrender them to foreclosure.

The New York Times

"Should we surrender them to the police so they can release him in two hours?" he asked, defending the mob's killing of one of the suspects.

The New York Times

In theory, these domain names can't be hijacked by criminals or blocked by governments; no one except the owner can surrender them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

They can score points, but their defense also surrenders them.

The New York Times

They removed the golf balls and surrendered them.

The New Yorker

They may have to be surrendered to the European interest, but that does not mean surrendering them to the European Commission.

The Economist

Hanigalbat, in turn, surrendered them to Egypt, after the successful eighth campaign of Thutmose III (ruled 1479 26 bce).

Encyclopedia Britannica

NO trackers will describe, on the record, what happens when they find purloined assets and a bank resists surrendering them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surrender them" when you want to convey a formal or authoritative tone, especially in contexts involving law, military, or high-stakes negotiations.

Common error

Avoid using "surrender them" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for alternatives like "give them up" or "hand them over" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

Transitive verb phrase. The phrase "surrender them" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "surrender" is the verb and "them" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies the act of relinquishing something to someone else. Examples show its usage in contexts like surrendering items to authorities or creditors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surrender them" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions to express the act of relinquishing control or possession of something, typically to an authority or opposing force. While the phrase is more formal, alternatives such as "hand them over" or "give them up" are available for less formal contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, its usage spans legal, military, and general contexts. Understanding its formality level is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand them over

Replaces "surrender" with a more informal verb, focusing on the act of physically handing something over.

give them up

Uses a phrasal verb to convey the sense of relinquishing something, often with a sense of resignation.

turn them in

Suggests handing something over to authorities or someone in charge.

relinquish them

A more formal synonym for "surrender", emphasizing the act of giving up control or possession.

cede them

Implies a formal transfer of something, often territory or rights.

yield them

Conveys a sense of giving way or submitting, often under pressure.

deliver them

Focuses on the act of transporting and handing something over to a specific recipient.

transfer them

Emphasizes the change of ownership or control.

cede control of them

Specifically highlights the act of giving up control over something.

forsake them

Implies abandoning or deserting something, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "surrender them" in a sentence?

You can use "surrender them" in sentences where someone is being asked or ordered to give up or hand over something, often in a formal or authoritative manner. For example, "The authorities demanded that they "surrender them" immediately."

What can I say instead of "surrender them"?

You can use alternatives like "hand them over", "give them up", or "turn them in" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "surrender them" versus "hand them over"?

"Surrender them" is more formal and suitable for official or serious situations, while "hand them over" is more casual and appropriate for everyday conversation.

What does it mean to "surrender them" to the authorities?

To "surrender them" to the authorities means to give up or hand over individuals or items to the police, government, or other official bodies, often because you are legally required to do so or because you are admitting defeat or guilt.