to be repurposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be repurposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of adapting or modifying something for a different use or purpose. Example: "The old factory equipment is set to be repurposed for use in the new production line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It needs to be repurposed," he said.

The New York Times

"They're not all going to be repurposed," he said.

The New York Times

In fact, the stench came from racks of old fur coats, waiting to be repurposed.

The New Yorker

Abell's Marlboro photographs are not the only pictures to be repurposed by Prince.

The Guardian - Tech

I would love, for instance, the alleys to be repurposed as community gardens".

The Guardian

There, they were turned into forms to be repurposed by plastic manufacturers.

Yale University

One area where we found broad agreement was that it is unacceptable for the data to be repurposed or shared.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's not going to be repurposing existing cannon fodder for the new medium".

Forbes

Canadian researchers use three different approaches to identify drugs that could be repurposed to treat rare genetic diseases.

Nature

And the seven spare codons could eventually be repurposed to code up to four different unnatural amino acids.

Science Magazine

For example, IT-enabled communications and reminders could be repurposed to positively influence individuals to stay healthy.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be repurposed", ensure the context clearly indicates the original purpose and the intended new use. This helps avoid ambiguity and clarifies the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "to be repurposed" excessively in highly technical documentation where more precise terms like "reconfigured" or "reprogrammed" might be more appropriate to accurately reflect the specific modification process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be repurposed" primarily functions as a passive infinitive, often used to describe the intended future use or state of an object or concept. Ludwig's examples show it indicating a planned change in function or purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be repurposed" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the action of adapting something for a new use or purpose. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, including news and media, science, and academia. While it maintains a generally neutral to professional register, it is important to ensure the context clearly defines both the original and intended use to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "to be reused", "to be adapted", and "to be recycled" can offer more specific nuances depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be reused

Focuses specifically on using something again, potentially without significant modification.

to be adapted

Emphasizes the process of making something suitable for a new purpose or condition.

to be converted

Suggests a more significant transformation of something into a different form or function.

to be transformed

Implies a dramatic change in form or appearance.

to be modified

Focuses on making changes to something, often for a specific reason.

to be recycled

Specifically refers to processing waste materials for reuse.

to be revamped

Suggests giving something a new and improved form.

to be refashioned

Implies a creative reshaping or remodeling.

to be overhauled

Suggests a thorough repair or renovation.

to be retooled

Specifically refers to equipping a factory or machine for a new product or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "to be repurposed" in a sentence?

You can use "to be repurposed" to describe the act of using something for a different purpose than it was originally intended for. For example: "The old factory is planned "to be redeveloped", and its equipment is set "to be repurposed" for a new production line".

What are some alternatives to "to be repurposed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to be reused", "to be adapted", or "to be recycled".

Is it correct to say "to repurpose" instead of "to be repurposed"?

Yes, "to repurpose" is the active infinitive form, whereas "to be repurposed" is the passive infinitive form. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the agent doing the repurposing or the object being repurposed. For example, "They will repurpose the old building" versus "The old building is to be repurposed".

What is the difference between "to be repurposed" and "to be recycled"?

"To be recycled" specifically refers to processing waste materials so they can be used again. "To be repurposed" is a broader term that means to adapt something for a different use, which may not necessarily involve recycling.