to mend something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to mend something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of repairing or fixing an object, relationship, or situation. Example: "After the argument, they decided to mend their friendship and move forward together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That desire to be a paragon, to mend something broken in the Jewish world, went back to the number tattooed on the arm of his mother, Erna.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the Prince's parsimony is all part of a great tradition – not wartime make do and mend – something deeper.

Independent

When you get lonely, paint, draw, read, sing, mend something, call a friend or family member.

WikiHow

As our daughter's bone slowly mends, something else is quietly -- and unexpectedly -- healing and changing: our family.

Huffington Post

It might leave you time to do something to mend the problem.

The Guardian

He was just about to go to America, so I asked him to buy something to mend the car.

The Guardian - Music

Utah Sen. Mike Lee, a delegate and a Trump critic, pleaded with Trump to recognize why so many are uneasy with him and to do something to mend fences.

Huffington Post

Britain just has a few leftists eager to mend their threadbare socialism with something borrowed from National Socialism.

The Washington Post

"But the consequences of not doing something now to mend the structural disrepair in California government are frightening".

The New York Times

Mr Komorowski, a diplomatic novice and monoglot polonophone hardly seems the man to mend matters.Perhaps he will find something else to do.

The Economist

Your dog's trust in you has been damaged and it will take a lot of consistency and positive reinforcement training on your part to mend the broken relationship and turn it into something fabulous.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to mend something", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being repaired or improved, whether it's a physical object, a relationship, or a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "to mend something" in highly formal or technical writing; more precise terms like "repair", "correct", or "rectify" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

In terms of grammatical function, "to mend something" acts as an infinitive phrase within a sentence, often expressing the purpose or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and grammatically sound in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to mend something" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to convey the act of repairing or improving an object, situation, or relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. Although relatively rare in occurrence, it maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media and wiki content. For more formal or technical writing, alternatives such as "repair", "correct", or "rectify" may be more suitable. When using "to mend something", clarity and context are key to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to repair something

Focuses specifically on the act of fixing something that is broken or damaged.

to fix something

A more general term for making something functional again.

to correct something

Implies rectifying an error or flaw.

to rectify something

A more formal way of saying "to correct something".

to improve something

Focuses on making something better, not necessarily fixing something broken.

to restore something

Implies returning something to its original state.

to patch something up

Suggests a temporary or quick fix.

to make amends for something

Focuses on repairing a relationship or making up for a wrong.

to set something right

Implies correcting an injustice or error.

to ameliorate something

A formal term for improving something that is bad or unpleasant.

FAQs

How can I use "to mend something" in a sentence?

You can use "to mend something" when you want to express the act of repairing or fixing an object, relationship, or situation. For example: "After the argument, they decided to mend something broken in their friendship and move forward together."

What are some alternatives to "to mend something"?

Some alternatives include "to repair something", "to fix something", or "to correct something", depending on the specific context.

Is "to mend something" a formal or informal expression?

"To mend something" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, using more precise terms like "repair" or "rectify" might be preferable.

How does "to mend something" differ from "to improve something"?

"To mend something" implies repairing or fixing something that is broken or damaged, while "to improve something" suggests making something better, even if it's not necessarily broken.