rework

IPA/ˌriːˈwɜːk/
KK[riwˈɚk]IPA/ˌriːˈwɜːrk/

rework — verb

  • reworkpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • reworkshe / she / it
  • reworkedpast simple
  • reworking-ing form

1. to take a written or spoken text and alter it so that it becomes clearer, more e

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to take a written or spoken text and alter it so that it becomes clearer, more effective, or better suited to a different audience or need

例句

The editor asked Bao to rework the opening chapter before the deadline.

rework + direct object (text)

Hoa reworked her entire presentation so the science team could follow it.

rework + object + purpose clause

同義詞
  • revise

    more general; can mean small corrections, while rework suggests deeper structural changes

  • rewrite

    stronger emphasis on writing again from scratch; rework allows for editing the existing version

  • edit

    broader in scope; can include correcting grammar, while rework focuses on improving content and structure

  • refine

    suggests making small improvements for polish, whereas rework may involve major changes

反義詞
  • preserve

    keeping text in its original form instead of changing it

文法句型

rework + object (text, speech, document)

用法筆記

Most common in editorial, academic, and professional contexts. The object is typically a piece of writing, a speech, a script, or a set of notes. Frequently used with an infinitive of purpose (e.g., 'reworked the report to make it clearer').

常見錯誤

I need to rework the broken copy machine.
I need to repair the broken copy machine.
💡'rework' applies to texts and creative works, not to fixing mechanical objects.

2. to treat waste or used substances so that they can be used again in a new or cha

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to treat waste or used substances so that they can be used again in a new or changed form

例句

The factory reworks scrap metal into new car parts every month.

rework + object + into [new product]

Daichi's workshop reworks discarded tyres into durable floor mats for gyms.

rework + discarded/waste + into

同義詞
  • recycle

    broader term; can mean simple collection and processing, while rework implies changing the form for a new use

  • reprocess

    more technical, often used for industrial materials; rework is more general

  • reclaim

    suggests recovering valuable material from waste; rework emphasises giving it a new shape or function

反義詞
  • discard

    to throw away instead of reusing

  • waste

    to use ineffectively or dispose of without recovery

文法句型

rework + object (material, waste, scrap) + into + new product

用法筆記

Common in manufacturing, recycling, and industrial contexts. The object is usually a raw material, waste product, or defective item. Frequently used with the preposition 'into' to specify the resulting product.

常見錯誤

We need to rework this old document for the archive.' (when meaning 'reorganise')
We need to rework this old document for the archive.
💡this error is subtle: sense 1 (improve text) is correct; the mistake would be using sense 2 for paper documents.