rearrange

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rearrange" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to changing the order or position of something, such as items, words, or elements in a list or structure. Example: "To improve clarity, please rearrange the paragraphs in your essay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Iraq was a threat in the region, and because the threat will be gone, we also will be able to rearrange our forces".

The Guardian

I shuddered at the findings and attendant World Cancer Research Fund quotes, hazily remembered stopping drinking for a while after last year's Million Women Study, which showed that even a small glass could help rearrange your breast cells, then calculated that I have quite a few social occasions coming up and that denial may well be the only way forward.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Eventually, Rubik began to develop sequences of moves that would allow him to rearrange a few pieces of the puzzle at a time.

The Guardian - Tech

Why should I have to rearrange my life – and change careers, essentially – because you wet your pants every time a woman talks?

The Guardian

Senegal failed abysmally to find the right formula for getting the best out of their array of fine forwards but their new coaches, Joseph Koto and Karim Séga Diouf, are plotting to rearrange their midfield to do just that.

The Guardian - Sport

And in those 20 seconds, as the furniture takes shape and we dissolve into wakefulness, we rearrange ourselves into the people we're meant to have become.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Employers have an obligation to rearrange benefits if employees stand to lose out from changes to paid parental leave, a leading employer group has said, even if Joe Hockey described such arrangements as a "scam".

The Guardian

But there will always be countries that find the technology attractive enough to make them willing to rearrange energy markets in its favour.

The Economist

The civil servants handling Koshigaya's mail have learnt how to break tasks into manageable chunks, track their pace by the quarter-hour and rearrange sorting trays more efficiently.

The Economist

In some respects, recording a cover album as an elder statesman of popular music can be a highly conservative (and self-indulgent) exercise: a chance to rearrange the canon and to wallow in favourites from a distant past.

The Economist

IF ONLY Asia's problems were as easy to rearrange as the White House visitors book.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rearrange", ensure the context clearly indicates what items are being reordered or repositioned. Provide enough detail to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "rearrange" when the intended meaning involves a complete overhaul or redesign. "Rearrange" suggests a change in order, not necessarily a fundamental alteration.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rearrange" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object to specify what is being reordered or repositioned. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "rearrange" is a versatile term used to describe changing the order or position of items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While alternatives like "reorganize" and "reorder" exist, it's essential to select the word that best fits the specific nuance of the intended change. A key writing tip is to clarify what exactly is being rearranged to avoid ambiguity. The high frequency and clear grammatical function make "rearrange" a reliable choice for describing acts of reordering and repositioning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reorder

Focuses specifically on changing the sequence of items.

reorganize

Implies a more structural or systematic change in arrangement.

reshuffle

Suggests a more casual or random redistribution.

readjust

Implies making small changes to improve a fit or alignment.

realign

Focuses on changing the position or direction of something.

transpose

Specifically refers to interchanging the positions of two things.

recast

Suggests reformatting or reinterpreting something.

reconstruct

Implies building something again in a different way.

remodel

Indicates changing the structure or design of something.

restructure

Focuses on changing the fundamental organization of something.

FAQs

How can I use "rearrange" in a sentence?

Use "rearrange" to describe changing the order or position of items. For example, "The museum staff had to "rearrange" the exhibit due to the large crowds".

What is a good alternative to "rearrange"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "reorder", "reorganize", or "reshuffle".

Is it correct to say "rearrange the items"?

Yes, "rearrange the items" is grammatically correct. It clearly indicates that you are changing the order or position of the items.

What is the difference between "rearrange" and "reorganize"?

"Rearrange" generally implies a simpler change in order or position, while "reorganize" suggests a more significant structural change.