reviews
reviews — verb
- reviewspresent simple I / you / we / they
- reviewses3rd person singular
- reviewsing-ing form
- reviewsedpast simple
1. to look carefully at a plan, policy, or situation again, especially in order to
to look carefully at a plan, policy, or situation again, especially in order to decide whether to change or improve it
The hospital board will review its safety procedures after the incident in the kitchen.
collocation: review + procedures / policy
Mei-Ling asked her manager to review the budget figures before the quarterly meeting.
The Supreme Court agreed to review the lower court's decision on the environmental case.
After several complaints from local residents, the city council reviewed its parking rules.
Our school board reviews the teaching budget every three years to decide where money is needed.
- reassess
more formal; often used about value, importance, or risk
- re-evaluate
focuses on judging worth or effectiveness after new information
文法句型
review + noun phrase (a plan, policy, situation)
2. to write or record your personal opinion of a new book, film, play, restaurant,
to write or record your personal opinion of a new book, film, play, restaurant, or other product, especially for a newspaper, magazine, or website
A well-known critic reviewed Amara's first novel for the Sunday culture section.
collocation: review + novel / film / play
Haruki reviews new video games every month for an online gaming blog.
present habitual: reviews + noun phrase + frequency phrase
The local newspaper asked a drama student to review the school's winter production.
Lucia reviews at least three films each week and posts her thoughts on social media.
Kwame spent the whole weekend reviewing four new albums for the music column.
文法句型
review + noun phrase (a book, film, play, restaurant, product)
用法筆記
The subject is usually a critic, journalist, blogger, or other person whose job or hobby is to give public opinions about creative works or products.
常見錯誤
3. to analyse a scholarly article or paper by summarising its key ideas and then as
to analyse a scholarly article or paper by summarising its key ideas and then assessing how well the research was done and what it contributes to the field
Dr. Okafor was asked to review a research paper on renewable energy for a scientific journal.
passive: be asked to review + paper
Before writing her thesis, Ananya reviewed several studies on early childhood language development.
Each graduate student must review at least one article per semester for the research seminar.
Professor Chen reviewed a colleague's manuscript before it was submitted for publication.
Deepak has reviewed the latest findings on vaccine effectiveness for the university medical team.
- peer-review
a specific academic process where experts assess each other's work
- appraise
more formal; focuses on determining value or quality
文法句型
review + noun phrase (a paper, article, study, research)
用法筆記
This sense is used almost exclusively in academic contexts. The object is typically a research paper, article, manuscript, or study. Frequently found in the passive voice.
4. to make a formal visit to soldiers, ships, or other military forces in order to
to make a formal visit to soldiers, ships, or other military forces in order to inspect them as part of a ceremony or official event
The general reviewed the troops during the annual ceremony at the military base.
Before meeting with the visiting prime minister, the president reviewed the honour guard.
collocation: review + honour guard
Colonel Ibrahim reviewed his battalion one last time before their deployment overseas.
During the parade, the chief of staff reviewed the soldiers standing in formation.
The Royal Navy fleet was reviewed by the Queen during a ceremony marking the anniversary.
文法句型
review + noun phrase (troops, forces, a fleet, an honour guard)
用法筆記
This sense is restricted to formal military contexts. The person doing the reviewing is always a senior official such as a general, president, or monarch. The forces being reviewed are typically standing in formation.
5. to go over material you have studied before, especially when getting ready for a
to go over material you have studied before, especially when getting ready for a test or exam
Nora spent the whole evening reviewing her Spanish vocabulary for tomorrow's quiz.
collocation: review + vocabulary / notes / material
The students reviewed the most important chapters from the textbook before the final exam.
Oliver reviewed his maths notes every night during the week before the test.
Fatima likes to review her history lessons by drawing colourful summary charts.
Before the driving test, James reviewed the traffic rules one more time.
文法句型
review + noun phrase (material, notes, vocabulary)
review for + noun phrase (an exam, a test)
用法筆記
This sense can be used transitively (review + subject material) or intransitively (review for + exam). It is especially common in education settings and is the preferred term in American English; British English more often uses 'revise' for this meaning.
常見錯誤
reviews — noun
- reviewssingular
- reviewsesplural
1. the act of carefully re-examining a situation, system, or project to determine i
the act of carefully re-examining a situation, system, or project to determine if it requires modification or improvement.
The company's salary system is currently under review after complaints from staff.
under review — common fixed phrase
A full review of safety procedures was carried out following the accident at the factory.
review of [something]
The committee will conduct a review of the education policy next month.
Sirin's employment case is due for review at the next board meeting.
The management team completed a thorough review of the budget before approving it.
- examination
more general; can refer to physical checks or tests
- assessment
focuses more on evaluating quality or value than on deciding changes
- reappraisal
more formal, suggests a fresh look at an established situation
文法句型
under review
review of [something]
conduct a review
用法筆記
Often used in fixed phrases like 'under review' (currently being examined) or 'due for review' (scheduled to be examined). The article is usually 'a' or 'the' when countable, omitted when uncountable (e.g. 'The matter is under review').
常見錯誤
2. a written article or a radio or television programme where the author or present
a written article or a radio or television programme where the author or presenter shares their judgment on a recently released book, movie, play, product, or service.
The film received positive reviews from most major newspapers and critics.
receive [adjective] reviews — common verb + noun pattern
Felipe published a review of the new novel in the weekend book supplement.
a review of [something]
Before buying a laptop, Roya read several online customer reviews to compare the models.
The restaurant on the corner got a glowing review from the local food critic.
Jessica's theatre review appeared in the morning edition of the national paper.
- critique
more formal and detailed than 'review'; often used in academic or professional contexts
- evaluation
broader; focuses on quality and value rather than opinion
- rating
usually a score or star-based assessment rather than a written opinion
文法句型
a review of [something]
get/receive reviews
a good/bad/positive/negative review
用法筆記
Used for professional criticism (newspapers, magazines, blogs) and for user-generated feedback (customer reviews on shopping websites). 'Review' implies a published or shared opinion, not a private one.
常見錯誤
3. a written summary of the main ideas and findings from published research on a pa
a written summary of the main ideas and findings from published research on a particular topic, usually including the writer's own assessment.
The first chapter of Kabir's thesis contains a detailed literature review on climate policy.
literature review — academic fixed phrase
Felix was asked to write a review of recent studies on second-language learning for the journal.
a review of recent studies
The medical journal published a review of advances in cancer treatment over the past decade.
Gabriela wrote a critical review of the research that helped identify gaps in the existing data.
The professor assigned a review of the literature on urban transportation for the seminar.
文法句型
a review of the literature
literature review
review of studies/research
用法筆記
Commonly found in academic contexts as 'literature review' or 'review of the literature'. Unlike sense 2, this sense does NOT mean a journalist's opinion on a new work — it means a scholarly survey of existing research.
常見錯誤
4. a section found in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication that is set asid
a section found in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication that is set aside for cultural coverage such as arts, books, travel, and entertainment.
The Saturday review section always features interviews with well-known authors.
review section — specific part of a publication
Marco's travel article appeared in the review section of the national newspaper.
Adina found a recommendation for a new jazz album in the arts review pages.
The review section of the magazine covers books, films, exhibitions, and theatre.
Sirin reads the review pages every Sunday to keep up with cultural news.
- arts section
overlapping but broader; may include listings and interviews as well as critical reviews
文法句型
the review section/pages
the arts review
用法筆記
Refers to a named section of a publication rather than an individual article. Often capitalised in titles (e.g. 'The Review section', 'Arts Review pages'). Distinguish from sense 2, which refers to individual pieces of criticism.
5. a formal ceremonial occasion where soldiers, ships, or military equipment are in
a formal ceremonial occasion where soldiers, ships, or military equipment are inspected by a senior officer or visiting dignitary.
The general held a review of the troops before their deployment overseas.
hold a review of the troops
Thousands of soldiers took part in the annual military review in the capital.
annual military review
The naval review displayed the country's newest warships in the harbour.
President Obi attended a review of the honour guard during his state visit.
A formal review of the cadets was held at the military training academy.
- inspection
less ceremonial; used for routine checks
- parade
emphasises the marching display aspect rather than the inspection
- ceremonial inspection
makes the formal nature explicit
文法句型
a review of the troops
military/naval review
hold a review
用法筆記
Typically occurs with modifiers like 'military review', 'naval review', 'troop review'. Not used for everyday inspections — this sense implies a formal ceremony with ceremonial significance.
常見錯誤
6. a form of live entertainment that combines songs, comedy sketches, dancing, and
a form of live entertainment that combines songs, comedy sketches, dancing, and topical humour, often satirising current events.
The theatre company put on a lively Christmas review that delighted the audience.
Joon performed a comedy song in the annual New Year's review at the town hall.
annual [occasion] review — patterned title
The television channel broadcast a topical review featuring political satire and music.
Audiences loved the musical review for its clever jokes and memorable songs.
The review included sketches about recent news events and celebrity stories.
- revue
the preferred spelling for this theatrical sense; 'review' is an accepted variant
- variety show
focuses on diverse acts rather than topical satire
文法句型
a [adjective] review
a musical review
用法筆記
This sense is a homophone of 'revue' and is sometimes spelled that way. It refers specifically to a stage or TV show, not to written criticism. Uncommon in everyday conversation; learners are most likely to encounter this sense in theatre or arts contexts.
7. Notes, questions, or exercises that help you prepare for a test or go over thing
Notes, questions, or exercises that help you prepare for a test or go over things you have already studied.
Before the chemistry exam, Linh worked through review sheets her teacher gave the class.
collocation: review sheets / review problems / review exercises
Yan spent Saturday morning doing vocabulary review exercises for the TOEFL test.
collocation: do review exercises
The math department created a set of review problems for students who needed extra practice.
Amani bought a book of grammar reviews to help with her English homework.
Defne's teacher called the mock test a good review of everything they studied this term.
- revision notes
British English term for study notes prepared for an exam; more specific to written summaries
- practice test
A full mock exam rather than general study material; more specific and formal
- study guide
A structured booklet or document that covers key topics; broader than a single set of exercises
文法句型
review + noun: review sheet / review exercise / review problem
a review of + topic
用法筆記
Commonly appears with verbs like 'do', 'work through', 'create', or 'use'. The object is typically a prepared set of material — notes, problems, or question sheets — not the act of studying itself.
常見錯誤
❗ 'I need more review before the exam.' ✅ 'I need more review materials before the exam.' — 'Review' meaning the act of studying is uncountable; for prepared practice materials (this sense), use 'reviews' (plural) or phrases like 'review sheets / exercises / problems'.