When you dispatch something, it means you send it somewhere. You might dispatch a letter or a package. People also dispatch help, like sending an ambulance or a police officer. It often means sending something quickly for a special reason.
§ Similar Words and When to Use Them
The verb "dispatch" means to send someone or something to a specific place for a particular purpose, often implying speed or urgency. While it's a useful word, several other verbs can be used in similar contexts, each with slightly different nuances. Understanding these differences will help you choose the most appropriate word for your situation.
§ Send
- DEFINITION
- This is the most general term for moving something or someone from one place to another. It doesn't necessarily imply speed or a specific purpose.
I will send you an email later today.
They sent their children to summer camp.
§ Deliver
- DEFINITION
- This word specifically refers to taking something to a particular destination, usually a package, letter, or message. It implies the successful arrival of the item.
The postman will deliver the package tomorrow.
Can you deliver this message to your boss?
§ Transmit
- DEFINITION
- This verb often relates to sending electronic signals, data, or messages. It suggests a technical or formal way of sending information.
The radio tower can transmit signals over long distances.
Please transmit these instructions to all team members.
§ Convey
- DEFINITION
- To convey means to transport or carry, often referring to abstract things like feelings or messages. It can also refer to physically moving goods.
The painting aims to convey a sense of peace.
These pipes convey water to the city.
§ Dispatch vs. Alternatives: When to Use "Dispatch"
While the words above share some similarities with "dispatch," "dispatch" carries a specific implication of speed, urgency, and often a designated purpose or mission. It's particularly useful in contexts where quick action is required.
- Emergencies: When help is needed quickly, such as police, ambulances, or firefighters.
- Logistics and Shipping: For sending goods or packages with a focus on efficiency and getting them to their destination promptly.
- Official Communications: For sending important messages or envoys, often by an authority.
In summary, while "send" is a general term, "deliver" focuses on successful arrival, "transmit" on electronic or formal information transfer, and "convey" on moving abstract ideas or physical items more formally. "Dispatch" stands out for its emphasis on sending with speed and a specific, often urgent, purpose.
Comment l'utiliser
Usage Notes:
"Dispatch" is a more formal and official word than "send." It implies a sense of urgency or a specific purpose for the sending.
- It's commonly used in contexts like:
- Emergency services: "The police dispatched officers to the scene."
- Logistics/Shipping: "The company dispatches packages daily."
- Military: "Troops were dispatched to the conflict zone."
- Journalism: "A reporter was dispatched to cover the story."
- You can dispatch people, vehicles, messages, packages, or goods.
- It often takes the structure: dispatch [someone/something] to [a place] or dispatch [something] for [a purpose].
Common Mistakes:
- Overuse in casual conversation: While technically correct, using "dispatch" instead of "send" in everyday situations can sound overly formal or even a bit strange. For example, saying "I dispatched an email to my friend" is less natural than "I sent an email to my friend."
- Confusing with "dismiss" or "discard": Although both involve sending something away, "dispatch" specifically implies sending with a purpose, whereas "dismiss" means to let go or stop considering, and "discard" means to throw away.
- Incorrect object: You don't typically "dispatch a person" in the sense of making them leave. You dispatch them to a place.
- Misunderstanding the nuance of urgency/purpose: Using "dispatch" when there's no particular urgency or specific, official reason for sending can be awkward. For instance, you wouldn't typically "dispatch a letter" if it's just a casual note; you would "send" it.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsSure, here are a few simple examples:
1. The police dispatched an officer to the scene.
2. We need to dispatch this package by tomorrow.
3. They dispatched a team to help with the emergency.
Yes, absolutely! As the definition mentions, you can dispatch both a person or a thing. For example, you can dispatch a messenger or dispatch a letter.
That's a great observation! While not always strictly immediate, 'dispatch' often implies a sense of urgency or efficiency in sending something. So, yes, it's frequently used when things need to be sent quickly.
That's a good question! While 'dispatch' is listed as A1, it might be a word that A1 learners encounter a bit later within that level, as it's a bit more specific than some very basic verbs. However, understanding its core meaning of 'sending for a specific reason' is definitely helpful.
That's an excellent question! While 'send' is a more general verb for moving something from one place to another, 'dispatch' implies a more deliberate and often urgent or official sending for a specific purpose. For instance, you 'send' an email to a friend, but a company might 'dispatch' a repair technician.
Yes, that's a perfectly correct way to use it! For example, 'The manager dispatched an employee to pick up the supplies.' This shows that a person is sent for a particular task.
Not necessarily far away, but it does imply sending it to a specific location for a specific purpose. It could be to a nearby location or across the country, depending on the context.
Generally, yes, 'dispatch' tends to sound a bit more formal or official than 'send.' It's often used in contexts like emergency services, logistics, or military operations.
That's a very insightful question! Yes, 'dispatch' can also be a noun. As a noun, it refers to the act of sending something, or even a message that is sent. For example, 'The news arrived with great dispatch,' meaning it arrived quickly.
The past tense of 'dispatch' is 'dispatched.' For example, 'They dispatched the ambulance quickly.'
Teste-toi 36 questions
The police _____ an officer to the accident.
To 'dispatch' means to send someone or something somewhere for a specific reason, which fits the context of police sending an officer.
We need to _____ the urgent message quickly.
To 'dispatch' a message means to send it quickly. The other options do not fit the meaning.
The company will _____ your package tomorrow.
When a company 'dispatches' a package, it means they send it. The other words don't make sense in this context.
To dispatch a letter means to send it.
Yes, 'dispatch' means to send, especially quickly or for a specific purpose.
When you dispatch something, you keep it with you.
No, to 'dispatch' means to send something away, not to keep it.
A doctor can be dispatched to help a sick person.
Yes, 'dispatch' is often used when sending help, like a doctor.
Listen for 'dispatch'.
Listen for 'dispatch'.
Listen for 'dispatch'.
Read this aloud:
Please dispatch the documents.
Focus: dis-PATCH
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Can you dispatch a technician?
Focus: dis-PATCH
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
They will dispatch a rescue team.
Focus: dis-PATCH
Tu as dit :
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The police decided to ___ an officer to the scene of the accident.
To 'dispatch' means to send someone or something somewhere for a specific purpose, which fits the context of sending a police officer.
We need to ___ this package quickly so it arrives on time.
In this sentence, 'dispatch' is used to talk about sending a package quickly, which aligns with its definition.
The manager will ___ a memo to all employees about the new policy.
To 'dispatch' a memo means to send it out, making sure everyone receives the information.
They had to ___ a rescue team to help the hikers stuck on the mountain.
Sending a rescue team is a typical use of 'dispatch' when help is needed quickly.
Please ___ the technician to fix the computer as soon as possible.
To 'dispatch' a technician means to send them to a location to perform a service, like fixing a computer.
The company decided to ___ a new product sample to their clients.
Sending a product sample to clients is an example of 'dispatching' something for a specific reason.
The police decided to _____ an officer to the scene of the accident.
To 'dispatch' means to send someone or something somewhere for a specific purpose, which fits the context of sending a police officer.
Which word is similar in meaning to 'dispatch' in the context of sending a package?
'Deliver' is similar to 'dispatch' when talking about sending a package, as both involve sending something to its destination.
If you need help quickly, you should _____ an emergency message.
To 'dispatch' an emergency message means to send it out quickly to get help, which is the correct usage here.
You would dispatch a doctor to a patient who is not feeling well.
To 'dispatch' a doctor means to send them to a patient, which is a common use of the word.
If you dispatch a letter, you are opening it.
To 'dispatch' a letter means to send it, not to open it.
A company might dispatch products to customers.
Companies often 'dispatch' products, meaning they send them out to customers.
Listen for who will send officers.
Listen for what needs to be sent quickly.
Listen for what kind of message needs to be sent.
Read this aloud:
The company decided to dispatch the new products immediately.
Focus: dispatch, immediately
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
The emergency services were quick to dispatch help.
Focus: emergency, dispatch
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
They will dispatch a technician to fix the internet connection.
Focus: technician, connection
Tu as dit :
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Listen for the commander's action regarding troops and the reaction from the high command.
Focus on what the humanitarian organization sent and where, despite difficulties.
Consider who was sent, where they were sent, and their specific role.
Read this aloud:
Please articulate the strategic implications of dispatching a preemptive cyber attack against a burgeoning threat actor.
Focus: articulate, strategic, implications, dispatching, preemptive, cyber, burgeoning, threat, actor
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Discuss the ethical quandaries inherent in a government's decision to dispatch covert operatives into a sovereign nation without explicit consent.
Focus: discuss, ethical, quandaries, inherent, government's, decision, dispatch, covert, operatives, sovereign, nation, explicit, consent
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Explain the operational challenges associated with rapidly dispatching emergency relief supplies to geographically disparate and infrastructure-deficient locales.
Focus: explain, operational, challenges, associated, rapidly, dispatching, emergency, relief, supplies, geographically, disparate, infrastructure-deficient, locales
Tu as dit :
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/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Exemple
We will dispatch the package today.
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