fix

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fix' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean to repair, adjust, or solve a problem, or as a noun to mean an arrangement or a solution. Example sentence: "I'm sure we can fix this problem if we just put our heads together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And if you detect it among your staff, can you fix it before disaster strikes?

The Guardian

Another well-received speaker, Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico and 2012 Libertarian party candidate for president, said "there's only one way to fix the Patriot Act: and that's to repeal the Patriot Act".

The Guardian

" The judge told Wright he was required by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to determine whether life imprisonment, the only sentence for murder, should mean life or whether he should fix a minimum term.

The Guardian

Regularly check for updates of router software, as these will fix vulnerabilities.

The Guardian - Tech

Experience helps you to fix mistakes you made in the past".

The Guardian - Sport

If you were to try to fix all those words, you would have a new piece and an enraged second-rate writer.

The Guardian - Books

You are willing to break every democratic institution to try and fix the legal predicament you find yourself in," he said.

The Guardian

Ed spoke brilliantly about the 2008 financial crisis, corporate tax avoidance and other issues with candour and determination to fix these threats to society.

The Guardian - Opinion

If age, gender and class correlate with this bias, then smart weighting might fix it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey suggest that to fix the economy you need to first fix the budget, but there is very little here to suggest the economy is improved in any way by the budget.

The Guardian - Business

What I'm talking about is a common sense, step-by-step approach would secure our borders, allow us to enforce the laws, and fix a broken immigration system.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fix", consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate synonym for clarity. For example, use "repair" for physical objects and "resolve" for problems.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing "fix" as it can sometimes sound informal. Opt for more precise alternatives like "rectify", "resolve", or "correct" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fix" is a verb, indicating an action to repair, adjust, or resolve something. It also functions as a noun, referring to a solution or arrangement. As Ludwig AI explains, it's usable both ways.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fix" is a versatile term used both as a verb and a noun, primarily to denote repairing, resolving, or adjusting something. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, context dictates the appropriateness of its usage; more formal situations may require synonyms like "resolve" or "rectify". Its prevalence in News & Media underscores its wide applicability. The guidance suggests focusing on using specific alternatives to prevent overuse and maintain appropriate tone for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repair

Focuses specifically on restoring something to a functional state after damage or malfunction.

resolve

Emphasizes finding a solution to a problem or conflict.

mend

Implies repairing something that is torn or broken, often used for physical objects.

rectify

Suggests correcting something that is wrong or unjust.

correct

Highlights the act of making something accurate or free from error.

adjust

Implies making minor changes to improve functionality or performance.

secure

Focuses on making something stable or safe, preventing future issues.

stabilize

Emphasizes making something firm or resistant to change.

remedy

Suggests providing a cure or solution to a problem.

overhaul

Implies a thorough repair or renovation to improve overall condition.

FAQs

How to use "fix" in a sentence?

You can use "fix" as a verb meaning to repair or solve something, for example: "I need to "fix" my car" or "Let's "fix" this problem together".

What can I say instead of "fix"?

You can use alternatives like "repair", "resolve", or "correct" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fix the problem" or "solve the problem"?

Both "fix the problem" and "solve the problem" are correct, but "solve" is generally considered more formal. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "fix" and "repair"?

"Fix" is a more general term that can refer to solving any kind of problem. "Repair" typically refers to restoring something physical to a working condition.