restore

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "restore" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of bringing something back to its original state or condition, or to replace something that has been lost or taken away. For example: "The restoration of the old building will help to preserve its original architecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will take million of pounds to restore the damage caused in affected boroughs such as mine.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The next two years are about hope and revival, and a vision to restore America's place in the world".

The Guardian

He said Hunter would work with the APY executive to resolve administration problems, and that the South Australian government would "explore all options available to restore stable governance in the APY".

The Guardian

His ability, familiarity with trade and finance, toughness in controversy - all fed belief among Conservatives that he was the man to restore them to power.

The Guardian

A Saudi-led coalition began air strikes in Yemen in March in a campaign to restore Yemeni president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 12.23pm BST12 23 Andrew Griffiths, a Conservative, asks about campaign to restore the graves of people who won the Victoria Cross.

The Guardian

The Lib Dems, eager to restore credibility on the issue in the wake of their broken 2010 election pledge to abolish tuition fees, claim that the Labour plan will help richer graduates.

The Guardian

As part of the discussions around them, the Committee on Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) have argued that any regulations need to strengthen citizens' rights, and restore trust around digital technologies.

The Guardian

The government's immediate task is to restore its reputation for competence.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is much harder to restore bulk collection after it has lapsed than it would have been to simply extend it," he added.

The Guardian

The first half of the show looked towards the near future and what the Republic's options are to restore its national finances and try to pay back the multi-billion bailout loan to the global financial institutions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "restore", consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate synonym. For instance, "rebuild" is better suited for physical structures, while "re-establish" works well for abstract concepts like relationships or confidence.

Common error

Avoid using "restore" when referring to situations where the original state cannot be fully recovered. In such cases, consider using phrases like "mitigate" or "improve" instead, as they acknowledge the altered circumstances while still focusing on positive change.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "restore" is as a transitive verb. It typically takes a direct object, indicating what is being brought back to a previous condition or state. Ludwig examples confirm its active usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "restore" functions as a transitive verb used to describe the action of returning something to a former or improved state. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's essential to select synonyms judiciously, considering the nuances of each situation. Common errors involve applying "restore" when complete recovery is unattainable. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is "correct and can be used in written English" and its prevalence across various authoritative sources reinforces its reliability in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring back

Focuses on the act of returning something to a previous place or condition.

return to

Emphasizes the act of going back to a former state or location.

re-establish

Highlights the action of setting up something again, often in a more formal or official context.

rebuild

Implies constructing or creating something again after it has been damaged or destroyed.

repair

Focuses on fixing something that is broken or damaged.

recover

Highlights the act of regaining something that was lost.

reinstate

Emphasizes the act of bringing someone or something back to a former position or status.

reconstruct

Focuses on building or assembling something again, often in a detailed or precise way.

rehabilitate

Implies restoring someone or something to a healthy or useful state.

revive

Highlights the act of bringing something back to life or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "restore" in a sentence?

You can use "restore" to describe bringing something back to its original state, like "They are working to "restore the building" to its former glory" or to replace lost data: "I need to "restore my files" from a backup".

What can I say instead of "restore"?

Alternatives to "restore" include "rebuild", "repair", "recover", "re-establish" or "bring back", depending on the specific context you're using it in.

Which is correct, "restore" or "restoration"?

"Restore" is a verb that describes the action of bringing something back, while "restoration" is a noun that refers to the process or result of restoring something. For example, "They will "restore the artwork"" versus "The "restoration of the artwork" was successful".

What's the difference between "restore" and "renovate"?

"Restore" means to bring something back to its original condition, while "renovate" means to improve something by repairing and redecorating it. You "restore a historical building" to its original state, but you "renovate a kitchen" to make it more modern.