reshape

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'reshape' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to changing, altering, or reforming something in order to make it different than before. For example, "The company decided to reshape its organizational structure in order to improve efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be eligible, your company needs to be 1-3 years old, employing ten people or less and focused on developing and using technology in innovative ways in order to reshape business practices and/or tackle some of the world's most pressing issues.

The Guardian

Yet these elections offer disturbing lessons about what a populist, Russia-leaning rightwing government can do inside the EU today: fundamentally reshape the polity in a partisan image and offer an all-out anti-liberal policy model that is inching ever closer to Putin's ideal of governance.

The Guardian - Opinion

But last month's collapse of Phones 4u – which resulted in the closure of 362 stores and more than 2,400 job losses – points to a high street in constant flux as changing buying habits and new technology trends continue to reshape its purpose.

The Guardian - Business

Prof Jane Dacre, president, Royal College of Physicians " Ministers must avoid the temptation to tinker with NHS structures and instead create the space for local health leaders to reshape services around people's needs.

The Guardian

So what of the 12 members of the team who wanted to reshape the world's perception of the risks of human-caused climate change?

The Guardian

To deliver growth, the cities say, they need new powers: to commission work programmes locally; to regulate buses; to take control of housing and police; to reshape local services.

The Guardian

We need to do less in certain areas and more in others, we need to be much more nimble, and we need to reshape our teams.

The Guardian

He shows every sign of using that time to reshape Hungary.

The Guardian

With an overall budget of $2m £1.3mm) the plan would look to reshape the view of climate change science among the public and policy makers in a way that would favour the industries that stood to lose the most from regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

The Guardian

Instead they seem determined to reshape Campbell to meet the media's demands.

The Guardian

And he is a man determined to reshape Britain, driven by his own background and – as the education establishment can confirm – unafraid to challenge vested interests.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reshape" to describe significant alterations to form or structure, whether physical or conceptual. For example, "The company decided to "reshape" its marketing strategy to target a younger audience."

Common error

Avoid using "reshape" when a simpler verb like "adjust" or "modify" would suffice. "Reshape" implies a more profound and impactful change.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reshape" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. Ludwig AI indicates its common usage in diverse contexts, such as altering business practices or perceptions of climate change. This verb denotes an active transformation process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reshape" functions as a transitive verb used to describe the act of changing something's form or structure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts. It's generally considered neutral to formal in register, fitting well in news, business, and academic settings. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "remodel" or "transform" when a profound change is implied. Remember that while "reshape" is versatile, it suggests more than a simple adjustment, signifying a deliberate effort to create a new state. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its reliability and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remodel

Implies altering the structure or form of something, often for improvement or aesthetic reasons.

reconfigure

Suggests rearranging the elements of something into a new configuration.

transform

Indicates a significant change in form or appearance.

reorganize

Focuses on altering the arrangement or structure, especially of an organization or system.

recast

Emphasizes changing the form or content, often with a new interpretation or perspective.

reframe

Suggests changing the way something is presented or perceived.

reconstruct

Implies building something again or anew, often after damage or destruction.

redevelop

Focuses on improving or enhancing something that already exists.

rework

Indicates making changes or improvements to something that has already been created.

rebuild

Suggests constructing or creating something again, often from scratch.

FAQs

How can I use "reshape" in a sentence?

"Reshape" can be used to describe altering the form or structure of something, such as "The government is trying to "reshape" the economy." It implies a significant change.

What are some alternatives to the word "reshape"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "remodel", "reconfigure", or "transform".

Is it correct to use "reshape" in both physical and abstract contexts?

Yes, "reshape" is versatile and can be used in both physical contexts (e.g., "reshape" clay) and abstract contexts (e.g., "reshape" a business strategy).

What is the difference between "reshape" and "reform"?

"Reshape" suggests changing the form or structure, while "reform" usually implies improving or correcting something, often related to systems or institutions.