Question

1. John's father caught a big fish, and put it back.

2. John's father caught a big fish, and turned it back.

3. John's father caught a big fish, and returned it.
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Are they the same in meaning? Which one is commonly used?

Answer 1

In this sentence, no comma is needed before the "and". Otherwise, they are all correct. The most commonly used phrase would be to put it back, although it would be even more common to say the fish was released, meaning released back into the water to go on living.

Answer 2

... or "threw it back."
(My grandfather's phrasing!)

=)