just renovating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just renovating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of making improvements or updates to a building or space, often implying that the work is currently in progress or is a simple task. Example: "We're not moving; we're just renovating the kitchen to make it more modern and functional."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That meant that instead of just renovating the big old air-conditioning system you could replace it with one that's four times smaller.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Couldn't you just renovate?

The New York Times

In some cases she just renovated an already existing block.

The Guardian

"You can't just renovate a few houses and leave it at that," Mr. Killoran said.

The New York Times

Its rustic lobby was just renovated (it includes Clark Gable's baby grand), as were its 150 units.

The New York Times - Travel

"If they had just renovated in that time and not tried to get around zoning, the irony is they would have been done before the crash".

The New York Times - Magazine

In the West Village, a pristine four-bedroom duplex in a Washington Street co-op, just renovated by the sponsor, was available for $1.325 million, down from $1.5 million.

The New York Times

He and his wife lived in one house on the block and owned another next door, which they had just renovated.

The New York Times

The Edwardian seaside hotel was just renovated last Christmas with pastel-washed walls, polished wood floors and king-size beds.

The New York Times - Travel

The Skarzynskis have just renovated their basement to feel like an English pub, with everything but a bar.

The New York Times

The 30,000-square-foot building, just renovated, is now the Chelsea Art Museum, which opened to the public yesterday.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just renovating" to indicate that the primary focus is on making improvements or updates, rather than completely overhauling a space. For instance, "We are just renovating the kitchen to update the appliances."

Common error

Avoid using "just renovating" if the project involves significant structural changes or a complete redesign. In such cases, terms like "completely remodeling" or "reconstructing" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just renovating" functions as a gerund phrase, where "renovating" is the gerund (a verb form acting as a noun) and "just" modifies it, limiting the scope of the action. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which identifies it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just renovating" is a grammatically sound and usable gerund phrase that signals a renovation project is underway but is not extensive. As Ludwig AI states, it can be employed when making improvements or updates to a building or space. It is best used to downplay the scale of the renovation, and should be avoided when describing projects with significant structural changes. While its occurrence is rare, its usage is appropriate and readily understood in various contexts, particularly in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply renovating

Emphasizes the straightforward or uncomplicated nature of the renovation process.

merely renovating

Highlights the limited or minimal extent of the renovation efforts.

only renovating

Focuses on renovation as the sole or primary activity being undertaken.

currently renovating

Indicates that the renovation is in progress at the present time.

renovating at the moment

Similar to 'currently renovating', emphasizing the present time frame.

in the process of renovating

Suggests a more involved and ongoing renovation project.

undertaking renovations

More formal and emphasizes the act of starting the renovations.

doing renovations

A more casual way to describe performing renovations.

remodeling briefly

Refers to a very concise or short renovation.

touching up

Implies making minor improvements or cosmetic changes rather than a full renovation.

FAQs

How can I use "just renovating" in a sentence?

Use "just renovating" to indicate that you are making improvements or updates, but not completely overhauling a space. For example: "We aren't moving; we are just renovating the bathroom."

What phrases are similar to "just renovating"?

You can use phrases like "simply renovating", "merely renovating", or "only renovating" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "just renovating"?

Yes, "just renovating" is grammatically correct and understandable in English. It indicates that the action of renovating is happening and it is nothing more than that.

When should I avoid using "just renovating"?

Avoid using "just renovating" if the renovation project involves extensive structural changes or a complete redesign. In those instances, other terms like "completely remodeling" or "reconstructing" are more appropriate.