English Reference

Word

redo

Phoneticsre·do, stress on the second syllable

/ɹiˈdu/

Irregular verb

Forms

Infinitive

redo

Past

redid

Past participle

redone

Definition

v. to do something again because you want to improve it or because the first time was not successful. You often use this when you make a mistake and need a fresh start.

v. to perform an action or task a second time, typically to correct errors or achieve a superior result. Often implies a complete repetition rather than a minor adjustment.

Examples

“I made a mistake on the form, so I had to redo it.”

“The teacher asked the student to redo the assignment because the original work did not meet the requirements.”

“After the software update caused a system crash, the design team had to redo several hours of unsaved work from their morning session.”

Examples

simple

“I made a mistake on the form, so I had to redo it.”

contextual

“The teacher asked the student to redo the assignment because the original work did not meet the requirements.”

complex

“After the software update caused a system crash, the design team had to redo several hours of unsaved work from their morning session.”

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

Pitfall

I must to redo my homework.

I must redo my homework.

Redo is a base verb; it follows modal verbs like 'must', 'can', or 'should' without the particle 'to'.

Etymology

From re- + do.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

VERB

redo(A2)

NOUN

ADJECTIVE

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Occasional
Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

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English Reference