mend
/mend/ (bre, ipa) · /mend/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmend/ (ame, mw)
mend — verb
- mendpresent simple I / you / we / they
- mendshe / she / it
- mendedpast simple
- mending-ing form
1. to put an object or relationship back into good condition after it has been torn
to put an object or relationship back into good condition after it has been torn, damaged, or stopped working correctly — for instance, repairing a shirt with a hole, fixing a broken chair, or rebuilding trust between people
Tunde used a needle and thread to mend the hole in his jeans.
mend + hole/tear in clothing
Salma and her older brother finally mended their relationship after months of silence.
mend + relationship after disagreement
The chair was mended with strong glue and left to dry overnight.
The tailor mended the tear in the silk dress so carefully that the repair was invisible.
文法句型
mend + noun phrase (the thing being fixed)
用法筆記
Often used for fabric, clothing, and relationships. For electronic or mechanical repairs, 'fix' or 'repair' are far more common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. to become healthy again after being hurt or injured — used especially for bones,
to become healthy again after being hurt or injured — used especially for bones, wounds, and skin that grow back together naturally
The doctor said Haruto's broken arm would mend in about six weeks.
broken arm + will mend (future healing)
Linh's sprained ankle is slowly mending, and she can walk without crutches now.
The cut on Hassan's hand mended quickly after he kept it clean and dry.
The doctor checked the wound and said it was mending exactly as expected.
文法句型
mend (no object) — subject is bone, wound, or injured body part
用法筆記
Only used for living tissue — bones, wounds, cuts, and skin. Do not use for general illnesses such as colds, fevers, or the flu.
常見錯誤
3. to change from bad behaviour to good behaviour — to begin acting in a more accep
to change from bad behaviour to good behaviour — to begin acting in a more acceptable and responsible way, always appearing in the fixed phrase 'mend one's ways'
After being caught cheating, Ilan promised his teachers he would mend his ways.
mend one's ways (fixed phrase for stopping bad behaviour)
The manager warned Erik that he must mend his ways or lose his job.
Devika finally decided to mend her ways and stopped arriving late for work.
His parents were relieved that he had finally mended his ways after years of trouble.
- relapse
to fall back into bad behaviour after trying to change
文法句型
mend one's ways
mend one's manners
用法筆記
Almost always appears as the fixed phrase 'mend one's ways' (or occasionally 'mend one's manners'). The object is always a possessive pronoun + 'ways' or 'manners'.
常見錯誤
mend — noun
- mendsingular
- mendsplural
1. the visible result of repairing a tear or hole in fabric — for example, a stitch
the visible result of repairing a tear or hole in fabric — for example, a stitched area on a shirt or pair of trousers where the fabric was damaged
Nellie's jumper had a small mend on the elbow where she had fixed a tear.
a mend on + item of clothing + body part
The mend on Femi's trousers was so neat that it was hard to see.
There were several old mends on the knees of his work trousers.
The tailor showed us a small mend near the collar where the shirt had ripped.
- patch
a separate piece of material sewn over a hole, usually more visible than a mend
文法句型
a mend + in/on (article of clothing)
用法筆記
Unlike a 'patch' (which uses a separate piece of fabric sewn on), a 'mend' typically uses the original fabric or very fine stitching that blends in.
2. the process or act of fixing something that is broken or damaged
the process or act of fixing something that is broken or damaged
Heloísa's bicycle has needed a mend for weeks, but she keeps putting it off.
in need of a mend (noun phrase)
The pottery bowl was carefully reconstructed and showed no sign of the mend.
Nellie took her torn coat to the tailor for a quick mend before her trip.
- repair
much more common as a noun for any act of fixing something
文法句型
in need of a mend
sign of a mend
用法筆記
This noun sense is quite rare in modern English. The fixed expression 'on the mend' (meaning recovering) is far more common than using 'mend' alone as a countable noun for an act of repairing.