hand back

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to return something to its owner, usually by hand. In an academic context, it is most commonly used when a teacher or professor returns graded homework, exams, or essays to students. It is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the object can go in the middle (e.g., 'hand them back').

Examples

• The professor promised to hand back our midterm exams by this Friday.

  The professor promised to hand back our midterm exams by this Friday.

• After grading the essays, the teacher handed them back to the class.

  After grading the essays, the teacher handed them back to the class.

• Please hand back the textbooks at the end of the semester.

  Please hand back the textbooks at the end of the semester.

• I need to hand back this library book before it becomes overdue.

  I need to hand back this library book before it becomes overdue.

• She forgot to hand back my notes after the study session.

  She forgot to hand back my notes after the study session.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The teacher handed back them after the class.

  ✓ The teacher handed them back after the class.

  When the object of a separable phrasal verb is a pronoun (like 'them', 'it', or 'him'), it must go between the verb and the particle.

• ✗ I need to return back this assignment to the professor.

  ✓ I need to hand back this assignment to the professor.

  'Return back' is redundant because 'return' already means to give back. Use 'hand back' or simply 'return' instead.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The teacher will ___ our graded essays tomorrow morning.

  💡 A phrasal verb meaning to return something by hand.

  Show answer

  hand back

• Students must ___ their textbooks at the end of the semester.

  💡 Return the books to the school or teacher.

  Show answer

  hand back