was sent back

USAGE SUMMARY

"was sent back" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically expresses that something had been previously sent or taken somewhere, and has now returned. For example, "The shipment of medicine was sent back due to incorrect labeling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was sent back".

The Guardian - Books

Each time, he was sent back.

The New York Times

Juan was sent back to Havana.

The Economist

Kargbo was sent back to jail.

The New Yorker

The man was sent back to jail.

The Economist

He was sent back to prison.

The Guardian

And I was sent back to practice.

The New York Times

She was sent back to the UK.

The Guardian

He was sent back to Corpus Christi.

The New York Times - Sports

Ita tried again and was sent back again.

Independent

Most of it was sent back, though some remains missing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was sent back" when the subject has been previously dispatched and is now being returned to its origin or a previous state. This applies to objects, people, or even abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "was sent back" when a more direct verb is appropriate. For example, instead of "The email was sent back due to an error", use "The email bounced" or "The email failed to send" for a clearer and more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was sent back" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being returned. Ludwig confirms its proper usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was sent back" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that indicates a return to a previous state or location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds application across various contexts from news and media to scientific and formal writing. While alternatives such as "was returned" or "was redirected" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance, "was sent back" offers a versatile and readily understood means of expressing the act of being returned. Its widespread use and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for conveying this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was returned

Focuses on the act of returning something to its origin.

was taken back

Emphasizes the act of reclaiming or withdrawing something.

was redirected

Suggests a change in direction back towards a starting point.

was deported

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

was referred back

Indicates a matter being sent back for further consideration.

was shipped back

Focuses on the physical transportation of goods back to their origin.

was dispatched back

Highlights the act of sending someone/something back quickly.

was remitted

Implies sending money or a payment back.

was driven back

Implies a forced return, often due to opposition or difficulty.

was relegated

Suggests a demotion or being sent back to a lower position.

FAQs

How is "was sent back" used in a sentence?

"Was sent back" indicates a return to a previous state or location. For example, "The defective product "was sent back" to the manufacturer".

What are some alternatives to "was sent back"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was returned", "was redirected", or "was deported".

Is it correct to say "was send back" instead of "was sent back"?

No, "was send back" is grammatically incorrect. The past participle of 'send' is 'sent', so the correct form is ""was sent back"".

What does "was sent back to the drawing board" mean?

"Was sent back to the drawing board" is an idiom that means an idea or plan has been rejected and needs to be completely rethought or redesigned.