send
A1Neutral, used across all registers from informal to formal.
Definition
Meaning
To cause something to go or be taken to a destination; to dispatch.
To cause someone or something to go to a place or do something; to transmit a message or signal; to emit or produce (e.g., a sound or smell).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate act of causing movement or transmission. Can be used figuratively (e.g., 'send into a panic'). Commonly used with prepositions 'to', 'for', 'out', 'back', 'off'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily in vocabulary/phrasing of common collocations (e.g., 'send to hospital' (BrE) vs. 'send to the hospital' (AmE)). The verb 'send' itself has no spelling or pronunciation differences.
Connotations
Identical core connotations.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SEND + object + to + recipient/place (I'll send the report to you tomorrow).SEND + object + adverb/prepositional phrase (They sent the faulty goods back).SEND + for + object (We had to send for a plumber).SEND + object + infinitive (The noise sent the dog running).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “send (someone) packing”
- “send shivers down (someone's) spine”
- “send (someone) to Coventry”
- “send (someone) off”
- “send (something) flying”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for formal communication and logistics (e.g., 'Please send the contract for signature', 'We need to send the shipment by Friday').
Academic
Often used in the context of transmitting information or data (e.g., 'The satellite sends data back to Earth').
Everyday
Very common for communication and arranging things (e.g., 'I'll send you a text', 'Can you send the kids to school?').
Technical
Used in IT, electronics, and physics for transmission (e.g., 'The API sends a request', 'The device sends a radio signal').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you send the invoice to our Edinburgh office?
- The headmaster sent the pupil home.
- I'll send round a technician tomorrow.
American English
- Please send the invoice to our Boston office.
- The principal sent the student home.
- I'll send over a technician tomorrow.
adverb
British English
- No common adverbial form for 'send'.
American English
- No common adverbial form for 'send'.
adjective
British English
- The file is in a send-ready state.
- He is on the send list for the newsletter.
American English
- The file is in a send-ready state.
- He is on the send list for the newsletter.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please send me a photo.
- My mum sends me money every month.
- I sent a postcard to my friend.
- The company will send a replacement item free of charge.
- Could you send the details via email?
- The loud noise sent the birds flying away.
- The new policy sent shockwaves through the industry.
- We need to send out the invitations by next week.
- The judge sent the defendant to prison for five years.
- The sensor sends a continuous stream of data to the central server.
- His impassioned speech sent a clear message of defiance to the authorities.
- The sudden market crash sent investors scrambling for safe assets.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SEND: 'S' for 'Start it moving', 'END' for 'to its end destination'. It starts here and ends there.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION/TRANSFER IS SENDING (e.g., 'send my love', 'send a warning'), CAUSING AN EMOTIONAL STATE IS SENDING (e.g., 'send into a rage', 'send into fits of laughter').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse 'send' (отправлять) with 'send for' (посылать за). 'Send for a doctor' means to request that a doctor comes.
- The past tense 'sent' is regular in form but irregular in spelling/pronunciation (not 'sended').
- Avoid using 'send' where 'give' (давать) or 'pass' (передавать) is more appropriate for a direct handover.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect past tense: 'I sended the file' (correct: 'I sent the file').
- Missing preposition: 'I will send you the letter tomorrow' (generally fine) vs. formal 'I will send the letter to you tomorrow'.
- Confusing 'send' with 'sent' in present tense: 'He always send emails late' (correct: 'sends').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'send' incorrectly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is irregular. The three principal parts are: send (present) – sent (past simple) – sent (past participle).
'Send' means to cause something to go to a place. 'Send for' means to ask or order that someone or something come to you (e.g., 'send for an ambulance').
Yes, but it's less common and implies the object is understood from context (e.g., 'The device sends automatically every hour.' meaning it sends data).
Both are grammatically correct, but 'send it to me' is more standard and formal. 'Send me it' is more informal and common in spoken British English, but some consider it less elegant.
Collections
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Technology Basics
A2 · 48 words · Everyday technology and digital devices.