- Are you unsure whether to say “make a repair” or “do a repair”?
- Do you know which adjectives best describe a “repair” that costs a lot of money?
- Is it natural to say you are “repairing a relationship,” or is there a better word?
Mastering Repair Collocations is a vital step toward achieving native-like fluency. In English, we don’t just “fix things”; we use specific word combinations that signal professional competence and linguistic nuance. Using the right collocations reduces your mental translation time and helps you sound more natural in both technical and social contexts.
Common Collocations with REPAIR as a Verb
When used as a verb, “repair” implies restoring something broken, damaged, or failing to a good condition. While “fix” is more common in casual speech, “repair” is often used for mechanical, technical, or structural contexts.
Physical Objects and Infrastructure
In technical or professional settings, “repair” is the standard verb for maintenance and restoration.
- Repair a car/vehicle: The mechanic needs two days to repair the car.
- Repair a road/bridge: The city council is voting on a budget to repair the bridge.
- Repair a leak: We need a plumber to repair the leak in the basement.
- Repair a garment: (Though “mend” is used for sewing, “repair” is common for technical outdoor gear). He repaired his hiking boots before the trip.
Abstract Concepts and Relationships
We often use “repair” for non-physical things that have been “broken” or “damaged” by actions or events.
- Repair a relationship: After their big argument, it took months to repair their relationship.
- Repair the damage: The PR team worked hard to repair the damage to the company’s reputation.
- Repair a rift: The peace talks aimed to repair the rift between the two nations.
Essential Collocations using REPAIR as a Noun
As a noun, “repair” frequently appears in the plural (“repairs”) when referring to work being done. It is often paired with specific verbs and descriptive adjectives.
Common Verb + Noun Combinations
These verbs are the most frequent partners for the noun “repair.”
- Make repairs: We need to make some repairs to the roof before winter.
- Undergo repairs: The ship is currently undergoing repairs in the dry dock.
- Carry out repairs: The engineers will carry out repairs on the power lines tonight.
- Need/Require repair: This old building requires extensive repair to meet safety standards.
Adjectives used with Repair
Use these adjectives to specify the scale or type of work being done.
- Minor repairs: The car only needed minor repairs like a lightbulb replacement.
- Extensive/Major repairs: After the flood, the house needed extensive repairs.
- Costly/Expensive repairs: Be careful with that camera; it’s prone to costly repairs.
- Emergency repairs: The crew performed emergency repairs after the pipe burst.
- In good/bad repair: The antique clock has been kept in excellent repair for generations.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Repair a relationship | Verb + Noun | To fix a social or emotional bond. |
| Make repairs | Verb + Noun | To perform the act of fixing something. |
| Extensive repairs | Adjective + Noun | Fixing many things or doing a lot of work. |
| Beyond repair | Prepositional Phrase | Something so broken it cannot be fixed. |
| In good repair | Prepositional Phrase | Maintained well and in good condition. |
| Repair the damage | Verb + Noun | To fix the negative effects of an action. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Do a repair on the car | Make a repair or Repair the car |
| The house is in a bad state of repairing | The house is in a state of disrepair |
| Repair a mistake in the text | Correct a mistake or fix a typo |
| The TV is in good repairment | The TV is in good repair |
“Subject: Maintenance Update for Unit 4B. Dear Tenant, we have received your request regarding the kitchen. Our team will visit tomorrow to carry out repairs on the dishwasher. We apologize for the inconvenience and will work quickly to repair the damage caused by the leak. We aim to keep all units in good repair for your comfort.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Repair Collocations
What is the difference between ‘repair’ and ‘fix’?
“Fix” is a general, informal word used for almost anything (fixing a snack, fixing a problem, fixing a car). “Repair” is more formal and usually refers to physical objects, structures, or serious conceptual damage (repairing a bridge, repairing a relationship).
Can I say ‘repair a person’?
No, we do not use “repair” for people. If someone is injured, we say they “heal” or “recover.” If someone is mentally tired, we say they “rest” or “recuperate.” You can, however, “repair a person’s reputation.”
Which preposition follows the noun ‘repair’?
We typically use “to.” For example: “The repairs to the building were finished on time.” Avoid using “of” in this specific context.
What does ‘beyond repair’ mean?
This is a common idiomatic phrase meaning that an object is so badly damaged that it is impossible or too expensive to fix. “The phone was smashed beyond repair.”
Is ‘repairment’ a word?
In modern English, “repairment” is considered obsolete. You should always use the word “repair” as both the noun and the verb. For example: “The repair (noun) was successful,” not “The repairment was successful.”
This article helps me understand why some sentences I construct sound 'off' even if the grammar is correct. It's the collocations! They are so tricky but so important.
You've pinpointed a crucial aspect of fluency, Anja! Collocations are often the 'missing link' that makes grammatically correct sentences sound truly natural. It's a journey, but recognizing their importance is the first and biggest step. Keep paying attention to how words naturally go together!
What about 'repair the damage'? Is that an acceptable collocation for something abstract, like 'repair the damage to our reputation'?
Excellent question, Omar! 'Repair the damage' is indeed a very common and natural collocation, and it absolutely can be used for both physical and abstract damage. Your example, 'repair the damage to our reputation,' is perfect! It shows how 'repair' extends beyond just physical objects to more conceptual harms. Well done!
I loved the point about 'professional competence.' Using the right collocation makes you sound so much more articulate. Thanks for this useful breakdown!
You've highlighted a key benefit, Chloe! Using precise collocations not only improves clarity but also significantly enhances how competent and articulate you sound, whether in a technical discussion or a casual chat. We're glad this article empowers you to achieve that!
I often say 'get something repaired' instead of 'repair something.' Is that also a common and natural construction? For example, 'I need to get my phone repaired.'
Absolutely, Priya! Using the causative form 'get something repaired' is incredibly common and natural, especially when you are not doing the repair yourself but arranging for someone else to do it. 'I need to get my phone repaired' is perfect. It's a great way to express that action effectively!
Is there a difference in usage for 'repair' between US and UK English? Sometimes those little variations trip me up. For example, 'repair a tyre' vs 'repair a tire' for spelling, but any collocation differences?
That's a very astute question, Kenji! While the spelling of 'tyre/tire' changes, the core collocations with 'repair' itself tend to be quite consistent across major English dialects. 'Repair a car,' 'repair a leak,' 'repair a road' are universally understood. Any differences would be extremely subtle or tied to very specific regional jargon. Good job thinking critically about regional variations!
This article beautifully illustrates how collocations reduce 'mental translation time.' It's so true! When I hear 'repair a leak,' I don't have to think; it just sounds correct.
We're so happy to hear that, Sofia! Reducing mental translation time is one of the biggest benefits of mastering collocations. It allows you to process and produce English more fluidly and naturally, bringing you closer to true fluency. Keep practicing, and that intuition will only grow stronger!
What about when something is 'under repair'? Is that a common way to say it's being fixed right now? Like, 'The bridge is under repair'?
Yes, Giovanni, you've got it exactly right! 'Under repair' is a very common and natural collocation, especially for infrastructure or public services. It means that the item is currently being repaired or is in the process of repair. For example, 'The road will be under repair for the next two weeks.' It's a great phrase to know!
This blog post is a lifesaver for my advanced students! Collocations are always a challenge. I'll definitely be using these examples in my next lesson. Any tips for introducing collocations to B2-level learners?
Hello Aisha! We're thrilled this resource is useful for your B2 learners. For that level, try grouping collocations by topic (e.g., 'car repairs,' 'home repairs') or by verb/noun, and encourage active recall through sentence-building and gap-fill exercises. Contextualizing them in short stories or dialogues can also be very effective. Happy teaching!
I was surprised by 'repair a garment.' I usually hear 'mend clothes' or 'fix a tear.' Is 'repair a garment' more formal, like for a tailor?
You've noticed a subtle but important point, Wei! 'Repair a garment' does indeed sound more formal or professional, often used in contexts like tailoring, textile care, or instructional manuals. 'Mend clothes' or 'fix a tear' are common in everyday conversation. Great job discerning the nuance!
So, if I say 'I need to fix my car,' it's casual, but 'The mechanic will repair my car' is more formal/professional? I think I get it now! Thanks for the clear distinction.
You've absolutely nailed it, Elena! Your examples perfectly illustrate the difference in formality and context between 'fix' and 'repair.' That's a huge step towards native-like fluency! Keep practicing these distinctions in your everyday English.