How to Use “Refurbish” in a Sentence: A Comprehensive Guide
The word “refurbish” is a versatile verb that plays a significant role in describing the act of restoring something to a better condition. Understanding how to use “refurbish” correctly enhances your ability to communicate effectively about renovation, restoration, and improvement projects.
This article provides a detailed exploration of the word “refurbish,” covering its definition, grammatical structure, various usages, and common mistakes. Whether you’re a student, a writer, or simply someone looking to improve their English grammar, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to use “refurbish” with confidence.
By mastering the nuances of “refurbish,” you’ll be able to describe a wide range of restoration activities with precision, from simple home improvements to complex industrial overhauls. This guide also includes practical examples and exercises to reinforce your understanding and ensure you can apply this knowledge in real-world contexts.
Let’s delve into the intricacies of this useful verb and elevate your command of the English language.
Table of Contents
- Definition of “Refurbish”
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Refurbishment
- Examples of “Refurbish” in Sentences
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of “Refurbish”
The verb “refurbish” means to renovate or redecorate something, especially a building or room. It implies restoring something to a good condition, often by cleaning, repairing, or replacing parts.
The term suggests bringing something back to a usable or even improved state.
Classification: “Refurbish” is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. You must refurbish *something*. It describes an action performed on an object to improve its condition.
Function: The primary function of “refurbish” is to describe the act of making something look new or function better by repairing or cleaning it. It can also imply updating or modernizing something.
Contexts: “Refurbish” is used in various contexts, including:
- Home Improvement: Describing the renovation of houses, apartments, or rooms.
- Technology: Referring to the restoration of electronic devices, such as computers or phones.
- Automotive: Describing the restoration of cars or other vehicles.
- Furniture: Discussing the process of restoring old furniture.
- Commercial Properties: Referring to the renovation of offices, stores, or other commercial spaces.
Structural Breakdown
Understanding the structural elements of “refurbish” helps in using it correctly in sentences. Here’s a breakdown:
Basic Structure: The basic sentence structure involving “refurbish” is: Subject + Verb (refurbish) + Object.
Subject: The person or entity performing the action of refurbishing. Examples include: I, We, The company, John, The team.
Verb (refurbish): The action of renovating or restoring. It changes form depending on the tense (e.g., refurbish, refurbished, is refurbishing, will refurbish).
Object: The thing being refurbished. Examples include: the house, the office, the furniture, the car.
Example: The team refurbished the old office building. (Subject: The team, Verb: refurbished, Object: the old office building)
Tenses: “Refurbish” can be used in various tenses to indicate when the action occurred, is occurring, or will occur.
Present Simple: They refurbish old furniture. (Describes a habitual action)
Past Simple: We refurbished the kitchen last year. (Describes a completed action in the past)
Present Continuous: He is refurbishing the antique desk. (Describes an action in progress)
Future Simple: The company will refurbish the store next month. (Describes an action that will happen in the future)
Present Perfect: She has refurbished her entire house. (Describes an action completed at an unspecified time in the past, with relevance to the present)
Passive Voice: “Refurbish” can also be used in the passive voice, where the object becomes the subject of the sentence. The structure is: Object + is/was/has been + Refurbished + (by + Subject).
Example: The house was refurbished by a professional team. (Object: The house, Verb: was refurbished, Subject – optional: by a professional team)
Types and Categories of Refurbishment
Refurbishment can be categorized based on the scope, purpose, and type of object being refurbished. Here are some common categories:
Home Refurbishment
This involves renovating or redecorating homes, apartments, or individual rooms. It often includes painting, replacing fixtures, remodeling kitchens or bathrooms, and updating flooring.
Commercial Refurbishment
This refers to the renovation of commercial properties such as offices, retail stores, restaurants, and hotels. It can involve updating interiors, improving functionality, and enhancing the overall appearance to attract customers or improve employee productivity.
Technology Refurbishment
This involves restoring electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets to a functional and aesthetically pleasing condition. It often includes replacing damaged parts, cleaning, and updating software.
Furniture Refurbishment
This refers to the restoration of old or damaged furniture. It can involve repairing broken parts, refinishing surfaces, reupholstering, and cleaning.
Automotive Refurbishment
This involves restoring cars, trucks, or other vehicles to a good working condition and appearance. It can include repairing mechanical issues, repainting, replacing parts, and detailing.
Infrastructure Refurbishment
This involves the restoration and upgrading of public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public buildings. It aims to improve safety, functionality, and longevity.
Examples of “Refurbish” in Sentences
Here are extensive examples of “refurbish” used in various contexts and tenses, organized into tables for clarity.
Table 1: Examples in Different Tenses
This table presents examples of “refurbish” used in different tenses to illustrate how the verb changes form depending on the time frame.
| Tense | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Present Simple | The company regularly refurbishes its office spaces. |
| Past Simple | We refurbished the entire house last summer. |
| Present Continuous | He is refurbishing an antique car in his garage. |
| Future Simple | They will refurbish the old theater next year. |
| Present Perfect | She has refurbished all the furniture in her living room. |
| Past Continuous | I was refurbishing the bicycle when it started to rain. |
| Past Perfect | They had refurbished the hotel before the grand opening. |
| Future Continuous | Next month, we will be refurbishing the community center. |
| Future Perfect | By the end of the year, they will have refurbished all the classrooms. |
| Present Perfect Continuous | He has been refurbishing the old clock for weeks. |
| Past Perfect Continuous | She had been refurbishing the jewelry box for months before she finished. |
| Conditional Simple | If I had more time, I would refurbish the attic. |
| Conditional Perfect | They would have refurbished the building if they had received the funding. |
| Imperative | Refurbish the kitchen before you move in. |
| Infinitive | We need to refurbish the entire office. |
| Gerund | Refurbishing old furniture is a rewarding hobby. |
| Modal Verb (can) | You can refurbish the table with new paint. |
| Modal Verb (should) | We should refurbish the bathroom before selling the house. |
| Modal Verb (must) | The building must be refurbished to meet safety standards. |
| Modal Verb (might) | They might refurbish the garden if they have enough money. |
Table 2: Examples in Active and Passive Voice
This table illustrates the use of “refurbish” in both active and passive voice, showing how the focus shifts between the actor and the object being acted upon.
| Voice | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Active | The contractor refurbished the apartment. |
| Passive | The apartment was refurbished by the contractor. |
| Active | She refurbishes old dolls as a hobby. |
| Passive | Old dolls are refurbished by her as a hobby. |
| Active | They are refurbishing the library. |
| Passive | The library is being refurbished by them. |
| Active | The museum will refurbish the ancient artifacts. |
| Passive | The ancient artifacts will be refurbished by the museum. |
| Active | The team has refurbished the entire building. |
| Passive | The entire building has been refurbished by the team. |
| Active | He had refurbished the car before selling it. |
| Passive | The car had been refurbished by him before it was sold. |
| Active | The company will be refurbishing the factory next year. |
| Passive | The factory will be being refurbished by the company next year. |
| Active | The artist is going to refurbish the mural. |
| Passive | The mural is going to be refurbished by the artist. |
| Active | I am planning to refurbish the old cabinet. |
| Passive | The old cabinet is planned to be refurbished by me. |
| Active | She wants to refurbish the garden. |
| Passive | The garden is wanted to be refurbished by her. |
Table 3: Examples in Different Contexts
This table provides examples of “refurbish” used in various contexts, such as home improvement, technology, and commercial properties, to showcase its versatility.
| Context | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Home Improvement | They decided to refurbish their kitchen to increase its value. |
| Technology | The company refurbishes used computers and sells them at a discount. |
| Commercial Properties | The hotel is planning to refurbish its rooms to attract more guests. |
| Furniture | He enjoys refurbishing old chairs and selling them at flea markets. |
| Automotive | The mechanic refurbished the engine of the classic car. |
| Infrastructure | The city council plans to refurbish the old bridge to ensure safety. |
| Art Restoration | The museum is hiring experts to refurbish the ancient paintings. |
| Fashion | She refurbishes vintage clothing and gives it a modern twist. |
| Electronics | The store refurbishes used smartphones and tablets before reselling them. |
| Real Estate | Investing in properties to refurbish and resell can be very profitable. |
| Antiques | The antique dealer refurbished the grandfather clock to its original condition. |
| Gardening | They decided to refurbish their garden by planting new flowers and shrubs. |
| Offices | The company refurbished its offices to create a more modern and collaborative workspace. |
| Restaurants | The restaurant refurbished its dining area to attract a younger clientele. |
| Schools | The school board decided to refurbish the old gymnasium. |
| Libraries | The library refurbished its reading room to provide a more comfortable environment. |
| Hospitals | The hospital refurbished its patient rooms to improve the overall patient experience. |
| Theaters | The theater refurbished its stage and seating area to enhance the audience experience. |
| Museums | The museum refurbishes its exhibits regularly to keep them engaging and informative. |
| Factories | The factory refurbished its machinery to improve efficiency and productivity. |
Table 4: Examples with Adverbs and Adjectives
This table demonstrates how adverbs and adjectives can be used with “refurbish” to add more detail and specificity to the action.
| Adverb/Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Carefully | He carefully refurbished the antique table. |
| Completely | They completely refurbished the old house. |
| Thoroughly | The team thoroughly refurbished the office space. |
| Beautifully | She beautifully refurbished the vintage dress. |
| Extensively | The museum extensively refurbished the historical artifacts. |
| Partially | They only partially refurbished the kitchen due to budget constraints. |
| Newly | The newly refurbished apartment is now available for rent. |
| Well | The car was well refurbished and looked brand new. |
| Recently | The recently refurbished library is a popular spot for students. |
| Professionally | The house was professionally refurbished by a team of experts. |
| Skillfully | The craftsman skillfully refurbished the antique clock. |
| Quickly | They quickly refurbished the room before the guests arrived. |
| Elegantly | She elegantly refurbished the old ballroom. |
| Lovingly | He lovingly refurbished his grandmother’s rocking chair. |
| Modernly | The hotel modernly refurbished its rooms with smart technology. |
| Historically | They historically refurbished the castle to preserve its original features. |
| Luxuriously | The resort luxuriously refurbished its suites. |
| Sustainably | The company sustainably refurbished the building using eco-friendly materials. |
| Artistically | The artist artistically refurbished the old mural. |
| Efficiently | The factory efficiently refurbished its machines to improve productivity. |
Usage Rules
To use “refurbish” correctly, it’s important to follow certain grammatical rules and understand the nuances of its usage.
Transitive Verb: Remember that “refurbish” is a transitive verb, so it always requires a direct object. You must “refurbish” something. For example, you can say “They refurbished the house,” but not just “They refurbished.”
Tense Consistency: Maintain consistency in verb tenses within a sentence or paragraph. If you start in the past tense, continue in the past tense unless there’s a specific reason to switch.
Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure that the verb “refurbish” agrees with its subject in number. For example, “He refurbishes” (singular) versus “They refurbish” (plural).
Passive Voice: When using the passive voice, make sure to use the correct form of the auxiliary verb “to be” (is, are, was, were, has been, have been) and the past participle “refurbished.”
Adverbs and Adjectives: Use adverbs to modify the verb “refurbish” and adjectives to describe the object being refurbished. For example, “They carefully refurbished the antique table.”
Formal vs. Informal: “Refurbish” is generally considered a formal word. In informal contexts, you might use synonyms like “renovate,” “remodel,” or “fix up.”
Common Mistakes
Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes when using “refurbish.” Here are some common errors and how to correct them.
Incorrect: They refurbished.
Correct: They refurbished the house.
Explanation: “Refurbish” requires a direct object.
Incorrect: He refurbish the car.
Correct: He refurbishes the car.
Explanation: Subject-verb agreement. “He” is singular, so the verb should be “refurbishes.”
Incorrect: The house is refurbish.
Correct: The house is refurbished.
Explanation: The past participle “refurbished” is needed in the passive voice.
Incorrect: We are refurbishing the house since last month.
Correct: We have been refurbishing the house since last month.
Explanation: Use the present perfect continuous tense to describe an action that started in the past and is still ongoing.
Incorrect: They will refurbished the office.
Correct: They will refurbish the office.
Explanation: After “will,” use the base form of the verb.
Incorrect: Refurbish is good for the environment.
Correct: Refurbishing is good for the environment.
Explanation: Use the gerund form (“refurbishing”) when it acts as a noun.
Incorrect: She refurbished hardly the furniture.
Correct: She hardly refurbished the furniture.
Explanation: Correct placement of the adverb “hardly.”
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of “refurbish” with these practice exercises. Each exercise consists of ten questions.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “refurbish.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The company ___________ old computers and sells them at a lower price. | refurbishes |
| 2. They ___________ their house last year. | refurbished |
| 3. She is ___________ an antique desk in her spare time. | refurbishing |
| 4. We will ___________ the office next month. | refurbish |
| 5. He has ___________ the entire apartment. | refurbished |
| 6. The old building was ___________ by a team of experts. | refurbished |
| 7. They are planning to ___________ the garden next spring. | refurbish |
| 8. The museum ___________ its exhibits regularly. | refurbishes |
| 9. The school board decided to ___________ the gymnasium. | refurbish |
| 10. The hotel is ___________ its rooms to attract more guests. | refurbishing |
Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
| Question | Corrected Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. They refurbished. | They refurbished the house. |
| 2. He refurbish the car last week. | He refurbished the car last week. |
| 3. The office is refurbish. | The office is refurbished. |
| 4. We are refurbishing the house since last year. | We have been refurbishing the house since last year. |
| 5. She will refurbished the furniture. | She will refurbish the furniture. |
| 6. Refurbish is good for the economy. | Refurbishing is good for the economy. |
| 7. They hardly refurbished the kitchen. | They hardly refurbished the kitchen. |
| 8. The building must to refurbish. | The building must be refurbished. |
| 9. He is refurbishing hardly the desk. | He is hardly refurbishing the desk. |
| 10. The company refurbished already the offices. | The company has already refurbished the offices. |
Exercise 3: Sentence Construction
Create sentences using “refurbish” in the specified tense and context.
| Instructions | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. Use “refurbish” in the past simple tense, describing a home improvement project. | We refurbished our living room last month. |
| 2. Use “refurbish” in the present continuous tense, describing a technology project. | The technician is refurbishing the old computers. |
| 3. Use “refurbish” in the future simple tense, describing a commercial property project. | The hotel will refurbish its lobby next year. |
| 4. Use “refurbish” in the present perfect tense, describing a furniture project. | She has refurbished all the chairs in the dining room. |
| 5. Use “refurbish” in the passive voice, describing a building project. | The building was refurbished by a construction company. |
| 6. Use “refurbish” with an adverb, describing how an antique was restored. | He carefully refurbished the antique clock. |
| 7. Use “refurbish” in a sentence about automotive restoration. | The mechanic refurbished the engine of the classic car. |
| 8. Use “refurbish” in a sentence about art restoration. | The museum is refurbishing the ancient paintings. |
| 9. Use “refurbish” in a sentence about infrastructure improvement. | The city plans to refurbish the old bridge. |
| 10. Use “refurbish” in a sentence describing sustainable renovation. | They sustainably refurbished the house using eco-friendly materials. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, here are some more complex aspects of using “refurbish.”
Nuances in Meaning: Understand the subtle differences between “refurbish” and similar words like “renovate,” “remodel,” and “restore.” “Refurbish” often implies a less extensive overhaul than “renovate” or “remodel,” and it focuses more on restoring something to a good condition rather than completely changing its structure.
Figurative Usage: While “refurbish” is primarily used in a literal sense, it can also be used figuratively to describe the act of revitalizing or renewing something abstract, such as a reputation or an image. For example: “The company is trying to refurbish its image after the scandal.”
Regional Differences: Be aware that the usage and connotations of “refurbish” may vary slightly in different English-speaking regions. For example, some regions might prefer “renovate” in contexts where others would use “refurbish.”
Compound Words: “Refurbish” can be used to form compound words or phrases, such as “refurbishment project” or “refurbished goods.” These phrases are commonly used in business and technical contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about using “refurbish.”
Q1: What is the difference between “refurbish” and “renovate”?
A: While both words involve improving something, “refurbish” generally means to clean, repair, and redecorate to bring something back to a good condition. “Renovate” often implies more extensive changes, such as altering the structure or layout of a building.
Q2: Can “refurbish” be used for abstract concepts?
A: Yes, although primarily used for physical objects, “refurbish” can be used figuratively to describe revitalizing or renewing something abstract, such as a reputation or an image. For example, “The politician is trying to refurbish his image after the controversy.”
Q3: Is “refurbish” a formal or informal word?
A: “Refurbish” is generally considered a more formal word. In informal contexts, you might use synonyms like “fix up,” “renovate,” or “remodel.”
Q4: What part of speech is “refurbished”?
A: “Refurbished” is the past participle form of the verb “refurbish.” It can also be used as an adjective to describe something that has been refurbished, such as “a refurbished apartment.”
Q5: How do you use “refurbish” in the passive voice?
A: In the passive voice, the object being refurbished becomes the subject of the sentence. For example, “The house was refurbished by a professional team.” The structure is: Object + is/was/has been + Refurbished + (by + Subject).
Q6: What are some common synonyms for “refurbish”?
A: Common synonyms for “refurbish” include renovate, remodel, restore, revamp, fix up, and redecorate. The best synonym to use depends on the specific context and the extent of the changes being made.
Q7: Can you “refurbish” something that is already new?
A: Typically, “refurbish” is used for items that are old, damaged, or in need of repair. However, it could be used for something relatively new if it requires significant cleaning, maintenance, or minor repairs to restore it to its optimal condition. For example, “The display model, though new, needed to be refurbished after being handled by many customers.”
Q8: What is the difference between “refurbish” and “repurpose”?
A: “Refurbish” means to restore something to a good condition by cleaning, repairing, or redecorating. “Repurpose” means to use something for a purpose other than its original intended use. For example, you might refurbish an old table by sanding and painting it, or you might repurpose an old door as a headboard for a bed.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “refurbish” enhances your ability to describe restoration and renovation projects with precision and clarity. This comprehensive guide has covered the definition, structural breakdown, various usages, common mistakes, and advanced topics related to “refurbish.” By understanding these aspects, you can confidently use this verb in a wide range of contexts.
Remember to practice using “refurbish” in different tenses and contexts to solidify your understanding. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and the use of adverbs and adjectives to add detail to your sentences.
With consistent practice, you’ll be able to use “refurbish” effectively and accurately in your writing and speaking.
