Particle guide
Phrasal verbs with back
The particle back starts from one core idea — returning motion. Sink In groups its verbs by the recurring ways that idea plays out, so verbs that look unrelated line up into patterns.
72 phrasal verbs · 5 meaning groups
Return
A person, thing, message, or idea returns to an earlier place, person, or time.
Usual verb + particle uses
The verb keeps its normal meaning. The particle adds its usual direction or relation.
fly back
Return by air
“They fly back tomorrow morning.”
“She flew back from Rome last night.”
hand back
Return something by giving it back
“He handed back the keys.”
“She handed back the badge at reception.”
head back
Start the journey home
“Leo headed back home after collecting a parcel from the shop.”
“The hikers headed back before sunset.”
move back
Return to a position further from something
“Please move back from the edge.”
“Move back from the road.”
pass back
Return something by passing it
“Pass me back the salt.”
“Pass me back the charger when you're done.”
play back
Replay a recording
“Play back the message.”
“Play back the interview from the start.”
read back
Read aloud what was just written or said to confirm it
“Read back the order to me.”
“Read back the address before you send it.”
run back
Return quickly on foot
“He ran back to grab his bag.”
“Lena ran back for her phone.”
send back
Return something to where it came from
“During the shopping break, Leo sent his cold soup back to the cafe kitchen.”
“I had to send the parcel back.”
“We sent the broken lamp back.”
write back
Reply by writing
“She wrote back the same evening.”
“Omar wrote back to the school.”
Returning Action
The action returns to the person who did it first.
Distance
Back creates distance or reduces progress. The change can affect a place, position, amount, promise, or plan.
Holding
Something is prevented from moving, growing, or being expressed. It can also remain available as a backup.
Normal Again
Something returns to an earlier state.
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice the back patterns in Sink In
The app turns each meaning group into short review cards: recognition, particle cloze, meaning-to-particle recall, and schema matching.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
