rebuild

USAGE SUMMARY

"rebuild" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to reconstructing something or repairing something that has been damaged. Example: We need to rebuild the shed that was damaged by the storm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While bombs did some damage, they did nothing compared with a disastrous postwar planner, Rowland Nicholas, who sought to demolish much of the city – even the town hall – to rebuild a socialist utopia.

The Guardian

Related: Liberal Democrat candidates support Tim Farron as the party's next leader One hundred and eleven Lib Dems who to stood for parliament on 7 May have put their names to the letter, which argues that the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale is the best candidate to rebuild the party after it lost 48 of its 56 MPs.

The Guardian

As we rebuild, we are confident that we will increase the volume and effectiveness of attacks," the organisation said.

The Guardian

After joining the UK youth parliament and creating a documentary based on her experiences, Temi founded Get Outta the Gang which aims to raise awareness, help rebuild family structures and give young people a long term focus beyond youth violence.

The Guardian

But we can and will rebuild | Tristram Hunt Miliband, who quit as an MP when his brother beat him to the Labour leadership in 2010, said he would not be returning to British politics for now, but hinted he might be more involved in discussions about the future of Labour now that he is finally free of the soap opera surrounding him and his brother.

The Guardian

If we let banks rebuild themselves, it will take years and be at the expense of customers, either in being refused credit or being charged an arm and a leg for it.

The Guardian - Business

It also needs to replace its depleted editorial team as the first step to rebuild its reputation.

The Guardian

The view is that the party in those circumstances would be better off trying to regroup and rebuild in opposition.

The Guardian

Do you even rebuild at all, or start from scratch with something new?

The Guardian

I want the door to be set as it was while I rebuild my house.

The Guardian

The democratically elected Congress is still in place and despite the terrorist attack on the American mission, Libyans have spontaneously united to denounce violence and rebuild their nation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rebuild", ensure the context clearly indicates what was damaged or destroyed and is now being reconstructed. For example, "rebuild confidence", "rebuild a relationship".

Common error

While "rebuild" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in abstract contexts where more specific verbs like "restore", "repair", or "renew" might be more appropriate. For example, instead of "rebuild trust", consider "restore trust".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rebuild" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object. It describes the process of constructing something again, often after damage or destruction. As Ludwig AI also specifies, it's about repairing something that has been damaged.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rebuild" is a versatile and frequently used verb that signifies the act of constructing something again after damage or destruction. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and finds common usage across diverse fields like news, business, and science. When using "rebuild", ensure the context clearly shows what you're reconstructing, and be mindful of overusing it in abstract contexts where synonyms like "restore" or "renew" might be more fitting. The frequency of "rebuild" underscores its importance in describing both literal and figurative processes of recovery and renewal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reconstruct

Focuses on building again after damage or destruction, similar to "rebuild" but can also imply a more exact replication.

reconstruct from scratch

Specifically highlights starting over entirely, similar to "rebuild" after complete destruction.

restore

Emphasizes returning something to its original condition, often implying repair rather than complete rebuilding.

recreate

Focuses on making something new that resembles something that existed before. It's similar to "rebuild" but it highlights the concept of replicating something.

reestablish

Focuses on bringing something back to a previous state of existence or effectiveness, often used for institutions or systems.

redevelop

Suggests improving an area or structure, often involving significant changes and modernization rather than simple repair.

renovate

Implies improving something by repairing or remodeling, but not necessarily after destruction.

regenerate

Implies renewal and growth, often used in biological or economic contexts to suggest a revitalizing process.

repair

Addresses damage by fixing what is broken or damaged but not a complete reconstruction.

revamp

Signifies giving something a new and improved form, often used in the context of systems or processes.

FAQs

How can I use "rebuild" in a sentence?

You can use "rebuild" to describe the act of constructing something again after it has been damaged or destroyed. For example, "They are working hard to rebuild the city after the earthquake."

What are some synonyms for "rebuild"?

Synonyms for "rebuild" include "reconstruct", "restore", and "renovate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "rebuild from scratch"?

Use "rebuild from scratch" when emphasizing that something is being created anew, without relying on any remaining parts of the original structure. This is used when you "reconstruct from scratch", or a system that was completely destroyed.

How does "rebuild" differ from "repair"?

"Rebuild" implies a more extensive process of construction, often after significant damage or destruction. "Repair" refers to fixing something that is broken or damaged, but not necessarily rebuilding it entirely.