repairing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "repairing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of making something broken, damaged, or worn out usable again. For example, "He spent all day repairing his car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it did eventually and just in time to support the political narrative Osborne has carefully pieced together during his period at the Treasury: Labour profligacy had left the economy in a terrible state; Conservative prudence was repairing the damage; Labour had learned nothing and would resort to its bad old ways if re-elected.

The Guardian - Business

The EU's executive arm said Greece's finances were ahead of the targets agreed with its lenders, describing it as a "reflection of the remarkable progress that Greece has made in repairing its public finances since 2010".

The Guardian - Business

Tehran has thus been seeking to counter Saudi influence in the region by repairing relationships that have deteriorated over the years, such as the one with Turkey, which feels similarly threatened by growing regional sectarianism.

The Guardian

There is the world of difference between FGM and repairing cuts necessary to allow a baby's delivery".

The Guardian

Given his failure, there may now be a slight shift to soften the edges of German-prescribed austerity while EU leaders also harp on, but do nothing, about repairing the vast gap opening up between the more integrationist policies they are pursuing and democratic accountability and legitimacy to underpin them.

The Guardian

This is a strong disincentive [to work in the public hospital system]." Parnis criticised the government for failing to consult doctors on the tightening of entitlements and said it was "not helpful" in repairing a relationship badly damaged by the proposal, now abandoned, to charge patients to see a GP.

The Guardian

In a letter to the Guardian, the group of consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists, all of whom have treated or are currently looking after women who have suffered FGM, say that there is "a world of difference between FGM and repairing cuts necessary to allow a baby's delivery".

The Guardian

In a strongly worded attack, Danny Alexander, the Liberal Democrat chief secretary to the Treasury, told the Guardian that Sturgeon's spending pledges were "the death sentence for all the hard-earned progress in repairing the public finances and securing this jobs-rich recovery.

The Guardian

Your correspondent can report that the efficient Swiss were repairing the damage to McDonald's within hours.

The Guardian - Business

It is likely that the process of repairing their personal finances will only begin once sustained wage growth materialises".

The Guardian - Business

That is why we have always insisted that the banks help fund repairing the economy," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "repairing", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Use it when you want to emphasize the process of fixing or restoring something to a usable condition.

Common error

Avoid using "repairing" as a one-size-fits-all solution. While it's versatile, terms like "restoring", "renovating", or "mending" might be more appropriate depending on the context. "Restoring" suggests returning something to its original state, while "renovating" implies making improvements. Select the word that most accurately reflects the action you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "repairing" is that of a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form. It indicates an ongoing action of fixing or restoring something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a grammatically sound usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "repairing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily as a verb, indicating the action of fixing or restoring something. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to formal business and scientific domains. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific nuance you want to convey and choose the most accurate term, as synonyms like "restoring", "renovating", or "mending" might be more appropriate depending on the context. Ludwig provides numerous real-world examples showcasing the diverse applications of "repairing", solidifying its place as a valuable word in the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fixing

A more general term for making something functional again.

mending

Focuses on fixing something small or minor.

restoring

Emphasizes bringing something back to its original condition.

renovating

Implies improving something by repairing and redecorating.

reconstructing

Suggests building something again after it has been damaged or destroyed.

reconditioning

Focuses on improving the condition of something, often mechanical.

rehabilitating

Primarily used in the context of restoring someone or something to health or good condition.

patching up

Informal term for fixing something quickly or temporarily.

overhauling

Involves a thorough examination and repair of something.

rebuilding

Implies constructing something again from the ground up.

FAQs

How can I use "repairing" in a sentence?

You can use "repairing" to describe the action of fixing something that is broken or damaged. For example, "The engineer is "repairing the bridge"" or "She is "repairing her relationship" with her sister".

What are some alternatives to "repairing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "mending", "restoring", "fixing", or "renovating".

Is "repairing" formal or informal?

"Repairing" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What is the difference between "repairing" and "replacing"?

"Repairing" involves fixing something that is broken or damaged, while "replacing" involves substituting something old or broken with something new. Repairing aims to restore functionality, whereas replacing involves a complete change.