restore relations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "restore relations" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to the process of repairing, rebuilding, or reinstating a broken or severed relationship. For example, "John and Jane have decided to work together to restore relations that have been strained for many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dinkins tried to restore relations with the Jewish community on his trip to Israel.

The New Yorker

Mr Erdogan, say their diplomats, should first agree to restore relations fully.

The Economist

Centre-left governments in neighbouring Guatemala and El Salvador are keen to restore relations.

The Economist

But soon after taking office, Mr. Trump moved dramatically to restore relations.

The Washington Post

The decision to restore relations followed mediation by former President Jimmy Carter.

The New York Times

President Hassan Rouhani, educated in Glasgow, may be willing to restore relations with London.

The Guardian - Opinion

In his quest to restore relations with Russia, President Obama focused first on security issues like disarmament and Iran.

The New York Times

The United States and half a dozen Latin American countries will now recognise the result and restore relations.

The Economist

He has also helped restore relations with Visteon, the parts supplier that Ford spun off two years ago.

The New York Times

As far back as 1999, in public at least, Mr. Trump called efforts to restore relations with Cuba "pure lunacy".

The New York Times

Last year, during the primary campaign, Trump said that he supported government efforts to restore relations with the island.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international affairs, use "restore relations" to indicate a deliberate effort to improve diplomatic ties after a period of strain or conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "restore relations" when simply aiming to maintain a good relationship; the phrase implies a previous disruption or deterioration that requires active repair.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "restore relations" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of re-establishing or repairing a relationship. Ludwig examples show it used in the context of countries, organizations, and even personal relationships. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "restore relations" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as verified by Ludwig, indicating the act of repairing or re-establishing a relationship after a period of disruption. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's important to consider whether the relationship has genuinely suffered a setback requiring active repair, rather than simply needing maintenance or improvement. Consider alternatives such as "rebuild relations" or "reset relations" for subtle shifts in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restore ties

A more concise and slightly more formal way to express the same concept.

re-establish relations

Highlights the act of firmly setting up the relationship again.

rebuild relations

Focuses on constructing the relationship again, emphasizing the effort involved.

reinstate relations

Emphasizes the formal act of bringing back a previously existing relationship.

revive relations

Implies bringing a dormant or weakened relationship back to life.

reset relations

Suggests starting over with a clean slate, often after significant disruption.

mend relations

Focuses on repairing damage and healing rifts in the relationship.

normalize relations

Implies bringing relations to a standard, non-contentious state, especially between countries.

improve relations

Suggests making the existing relationship better, not necessarily restoring it to a previous state.

foster reconciliation

Focuses on the process of making two groups compatible after a conflict.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "restore relations"?

You can use alternatives like "rebuild relations", "revive relations", or "reset relations" depending on the context.

How is "restore relations" used in international politics?

In international politics, "restore relations" often refers to the process of re-establishing diplomatic ties, trade agreements, and other forms of cooperation after a period of conflict or disagreement.

What actions might be involved in efforts to "restore relations"?

Efforts to "restore relations" might involve diplomatic negotiations, cultural exchanges, economic incentives, and addressing underlying grievances.

Which is more appropriate, "restore relations" or "improve relations"?

"Restore relations" is appropriate when a relationship has been damaged or severed and needs repair. "Improve relations" is more suitable when the relationship is already functional but could be better.