to be done over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be done over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that needs to be repeated or redone, often because it was not satisfactory the first time. Example: "The project was not up to standard, so it will have to be done over before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because asserting masculinity never really works, it has to be done over and over again.

The Guardian - Books

It's even possible that his work has to be done over by a journeyman mechanic after he goes home.

The New Yorker

"I discovered that what I did in the afternoon had to be done over again the next morning," he said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All these fine points became moot when Metropolitan Kyril revealed that as far as the church is concerned, the DNA testing has to be done over again, this time by a new set of Russian scientists.

The New Yorker

So anytime it's fun, it's to be done over and over again.

Huffington Post

"We are taking the position that the environmental impact report is deficient and the process needs to be done over," said Dhiya El-Saden, one of the neighbors.

Los Angeles Times

It has to be done over summer recess," Healey said.

The Washington Post

Doing the job well means that it never has to be done over from scratch again.

Harvard University

But it allows essential maintenance to be done over the course of many hours without interruption.

The New York Times

Yet, it was only five years before the apartment had to be done over.

The New York Times

It's got to be done over a long period of time".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be done over" when you want to emphasize that a task or process needs to be repeated, often because it was not satisfactory in its initial attempt. It can imply a need for improvement or correction.

Common error

Avoid using "to be done over" when a simple correction or adjustment is sufficient. Ensure that the situation genuinely requires repeating the entire task, rather than just modifying a part of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be done over" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to indicate that an action must be repeated. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct and usable status in written English. Examples show it describes tasks needing revision or repetition for satisfactory completion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

12.5%

Less common in

Science

12.5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be done over" is a common and correct way to express that something needs to be repeated, often due to unsatisfactory results the first time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is versatile, appearing in various contexts like news, academia, and business. While not extremely formal, it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional communications. When using this phrase, ensure the context genuinely requires repeating the entire task, distinguishing it from situations needing simple adjustments. Alternatives like "to be redone" or "to be revised" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be redone

Focuses specifically on the act of doing something again, implying a correction or improvement.

to be repeated

Emphasizes the act of performing something again, without necessarily implying correction.

to be revised

Highlights the need for changes and improvements in a piece of work.

to be reworked

Indicates that something needs to be altered and improved through additional work.

to be overhauled

Suggests a complete renovation or transformation of something.

to be reconstructed

Implies building or creating something again, possibly from scratch.

to be rectified

Highlights the need to correct errors or inaccuracies.

to be rectified

Suggests correcting something that is wrong or deficient.

to be fixed

Implies repairing something that is broken or not functioning correctly.

to be retaken

Specifically refers to taking something again, like a test or a photo.

FAQs

How can I use "to be done over" in a sentence?

You can use "to be done over" when something needs to be repeated, usually because it was not satisfactory initially. For example, "The experiment failed and needs "to be done over".".

What are some alternatives to saying "to be done over"?

Alternatives include "to be redone", "to be repeated", or "to be revised", depending on the context.

Is "to be done over" formal or informal?

"To be done over" is generally considered neutral and acceptable in most contexts, though alternatives might be more suitable for highly formal writing.

When should I use "to be redone" instead of "to be done over"?

While they are quite similar, ""to be redone"" might be preferable when emphasizing the act of performing something again for improvement, whereas ""to be done over"" is a more general statement that something needs repeating.