- Do you ever wonder if you’re using ‘reputation’ correctly in English?
- Are you unsure which verbs or adjectives naturally pair with it?
- Want to sound more like a native speaker when discussing someone’s good or bad standing?
Understanding collocations isn’t just about knowing individual words; it’s about mastering how words naturally go together. For learners, this is a crucial step towards fluency, helping you avoid awkward phrasing and express yourself with greater confidence and accuracy. Let’s dive into the world of ‘reputation’ collocations!
Essential Collocations using REPUTATION as a Noun
Verbs that Impact, Build, or Affect Reputation
These verbs describe actions taken towards or effects on someone’s or something’s standing in the eyes of others.
- Build/Establish a reputation: To create or develop a good reputation over time.
Example: It takes years of consistent effort to build a reputation for honesty in business.
- Gain/Earn a reputation: To acquire a reputation through specific actions or achievements.
Example: She quickly earned a reputation as a highly skilled negotiator.
- Maintain/Uphold a reputation: To keep a good reputation intact and protect its positive image.
Example: Companies must continuously innovate to maintain their reputation for cutting-edge technology.
- Damage/Harm/Ruins a reputation: To negatively affect or destroy someone’s good standing.
Example: The scandal could severely damage his political reputation.
- Enhance/Boost a reputation: To improve or strengthen a reputation, often making it more positive or widely recognized.
Example: Winning the national award will significantly enhance the company’s reputation globally.
- Live up to a reputation: To fulfill the high expectations or standards associated with one’s reputation.
Example: The much-hyped restaurant struggled to live up to its reputation for excellence.
- Protect a reputation: To take measures to safeguard one’s good name from harm or criticism.
Example: He hired a legal team to protect his reputation against the false accusations.
- Restore a reputation: To bring a damaged reputation back to its former good standing.
Example: After the apology, he worked hard to restore his reputation in the community.
Adjectives Describing Reputation
These adjectives help to specify the nature or quality of a reputation.
- Good/Excellent/Solid reputation: A generally positive and well-regarded standing.
Example: The university has a solid reputation for groundbreaking scientific research.
- Bad/Poor/Tarnished reputation: A generally negative or damaged standing.
Example: His past financial mistakes left him with a somewhat tarnished reputation.
- Impeccable/Spotless/Unblemished reputation: A perfect reputation, entirely without fault or criticism.
Example: The judge had an impeccable reputation for fairness and integrity.
- Enviable/Stellar reputation: An exceptionally good or outstanding reputation that others might wish to have.
Example: The young artist quickly developed an enviable reputation for her unique style.
- Growing/Waning reputation: A reputation that is either increasing or decreasing in strength or recognition.
Example: The athlete’s growing reputation attracted numerous endorsement deals.
- Long-standing/Established reputation: A reputation that has been built and maintained over a significant period.
Example: The luxury brand benefits from its long-standing reputation for quality craftsmanship.
- Undeserved/Unfair reputation: A reputation that is not truly merited or based on false perceptions.
Example: He felt he had an undeserved reputation for being aloof, when he was just shy.
Prepositions that Follow Reputation
These prepositions clarify the specific aspect, group, or context of a reputation.
- Reputation for (something/doing something): The common belief about a person or thing, usually concerning a particular quality, skill, or action.
Example: She has a strong reputation for being incredibly organized and efficient.
- Reputation as (a type of person/thing): The common belief about what kind of person or thing someone or something is, often describing a role or identity.
Example: He has built a considerable reputation as a leading expert in renewable energy.
- Reputation among (a group of people): How a specific group of people views someone or something.
Example: His reputation among his colleagues is one of trustworthiness and dedication.
- Reputation with (a person/organization): How a specific individual or organization views someone or something.
Example: The company works hard to maintain a good reputation with its customers.
Master Summary Table: Key Reputation Collocations
This table summarizes some of the most essential and frequently used collocations with ‘reputation’.
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| build a reputation | Verb + Noun | Create a good name/standing |
| earn a reputation | Verb + Noun | Gain respect or recognition |
| damage a reputation | Verb + Noun | Harm one’s good name |
| good/solid reputation | Adjective + Noun | Positive standing |
| impeccable reputation | Adjective + Noun | Perfect, faultless standing |
| reputation for | Noun + Preposition | Known for a specific quality/action |
| reputation as | Noun + Preposition | Known in a specific role/identity |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoiding these common errors will make your English sound much more natural when talking about reputation.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make a reputation | Build/Earn a reputation |
| High reputation | Good/Excellent/Solid/Strong reputation |
| Break a reputation | Damage/Harm/Ruin a reputation |
| Have a reputation of | Have a reputation for |
| Big reputation | Good/Strong/Great reputation |
Sarah had spent years working diligently to build a solid reputation for integrity within her industry. She was known for always delivering on her promises, quickly earning a reputation as a trustworthy partner. However, a baseless rumor threatened to damage her impeccable reputation. She knew she had to act fast to protect her reputation and ultimately restore her reputation by transparently addressing the accusations. Thankfully, her long-standing reputation for honesty prevailed, and she continued to enjoy an enviable reputation among her colleagues.
Frequently Asked Questions about Reputation Collocations
What’s the difference between “reputation for” and “reputation as”?
“Reputation for” describes a specific quality, skill, or characteristic you are known for, e.g., ‘a reputation for excellence.’ “Reputation as” describes the role, identity, or type of person/thing you are known to be, e.g., ‘a reputation as a skilled negotiator.’
Can “reputation” be plural?
While “reputation” is most commonly used in the singular, it can be pluralized (“reputations”) when referring to the standing of multiple individuals, companies, or entities. For example, ‘The two rival companies have very different reputations within the market.’
Is “reputation” always about a ‘good’ reputation?
No, “reputation” can be positive, negative, or even neutral. You can certainly have a ‘bad reputation,’ ‘poor reputation,’ or ‘a reputation for being difficult.’ The surrounding adjectives and verbs determine the sentiment.
Are there common verbs to *lose* a reputation?
Yes, besides ‘damage’ or ‘harm,’ you can also ‘lose’ your reputation directly, as in ‘He lost his reputation after the scandal broke.’ Stronger verbs like ‘destroy’ or ‘ruin’ can also be used to indicate a complete loss of standing.
What are the most common adjectives used with ‘reputation’?
Among the most frequent and natural adjectives used with ‘reputation’ are ‘good,’ ‘strong,’ ‘excellent,’ ‘bad,’ and ‘poor.’ Other common choices include ‘solid,’ ‘impeccable,’ ‘tarnished,’ ‘enviable,’ and ‘long-standing.’
I downloaded the examples and put them in my flashcard app. This practical approach to vocabulary is really effective for me. More of these collocation articles, please!
That's an excellent study strategy, Thabo! Incorporating collocations into your flashcards is a brilliant way to reinforce natural word pairings. We love hearing about effective learning methods. We definitely plan to continue providing more articles on common and useful collocations, so stay tuned!
What if someone has a 'bad reputation'? Can you still 'uphold' it, or 'maintain' it? It sounds a bit contradictory. Or do these verbs only apply to good reputations?
That's a very insightful question, Anja! Generally, 'uphold' and 'maintain' are used with positive reputations, as they imply preserving something desirable. While you could technically 'maintain' a bad reputation (meaning to keep it bad), it's far more common to hear phrases like 'live up to' a bad reputation, or simply 'have' a bad reputation. You're right, 'uphold' inherently implies a positive value. Thanks for thinking critically!
This article is spot-on! Understanding these collocations is like unlocking a new level in English. It's not just about knowing words, but knowing their friends. Thank you!
Are there any phrasal verbs that mean similar things to 'damage a reputation'? I'm always trying to expand my phrasal verb vocabulary.
That's an interesting challenge, Svetlana! While there isn't a direct one-to-one phrasal verb equivalent for 'damage a reputation,' you could use phrases like 'call into question' someone's reputation, 'bring down' someone's good name (though 'bring down' is usually more about a person's status than reputation directly), or 'tarnish' which is a single verb but often describes a smearing effect. It's a great area to explore for more idiomatic expression!
This whole concept of collocations is a game-changer for me. Before, I'd know the words but always sound a bit 'off'. Now I understand why. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly!
We're so glad to hear that, Raj! That 'a bit off' feeling is exactly what mastering collocations helps to overcome. It's truly a leap towards sounding more authentic and confident in English. Keep exploring our other articles on collocations; you'll find even more game-changers!
I was just thinking about this yesterday when I read a news article. The journalist used 'sustain a reputation'. Is 'sustain' also a good collocation with 'reputation' in the same way 'maintain' is?
That's a very perceptive observation, Isabella! Yes, 'sustain a reputation' is indeed a valid and good collocation, very similar to 'maintain a reputation.' 'Sustain' often emphasizes the ongoing effort required to keep something going over time, especially in the face of challenges. It implies a continuous effort to support and uphold it. Excellent point!
What about slang or informal ways to talk about reputation? Or is 'reputation' always a more formal word?
My native language doesn't have such distinct verbs for these nuances. This blog post really helps me to articulate myself better in English. I'll practice these phrases daily!
That's fantastic to hear, Fatima! Daily practice is an excellent strategy for internalizing these collocations. The more you use them, the more natural they will become. We encourage you to try incorporating them into your writing and speaking whenever possible!
Is there a specific difference between 'harm a reputation' and 'damage a reputation'? They seem very close. Thanks for this informative article!
Great question, Kenji! You're right, 'harm a reputation' and 'damage a reputation' are very similar and often interchangeable. 'Damage' might imply a physical or structural impact, even when used metaphorically, while 'harm' can be a bit broader, covering any negative effect. However, for 'reputation,' they both convey a lessening of its positive standing. You can generally use either with confidence!
I'm a fairly advanced learner, but collocations are still tricky. This article is a great reminder that true fluency is about knowing these natural pairings. So many times I've heard a phrase and thought, 'Why didn't I think of that?' This explains why!