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B1 verb / noun #11 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

reform

Top 11

At the A1 level, 'reform' is a difficult word. You can think of it as a very big 'fix.' When you fix a toy, it is small. When a leader fixes a whole country's rules, we call it 'reform.' It means making something better by changing it. For example, if a school has bad rules and the principal changes them to be good, that is a reform. You might not use this word often, but you will hear it on the news when people talk about big changes in the world. Just remember: reform = big change to make things better.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'reform' to talk about rules and habits. It is a formal way to say 'improve by changing.' If you have a bad habit, like eating too much candy, and you decide to stop and eat fruit instead, you are 'reforming' your diet. In history, you might learn about 'reforms' that helped workers or children. It is usually a noun (a reform) or a verb (to reform). It is different from 'change' because reform always means the change is for a good reason and makes things more fair.

At the B1 level, you should understand that 'reform' is used for systems, laws, and personal character. It is a common word in news reports about 'healthcare reform' or 'education reform.' As a verb, it can be transitive (to reform a law) or intransitive (the person reformed). You should also know the adjective 'reformed,' which describes someone who has changed their bad behavior. For example, 'He is a reformed criminal.' This word is very useful for discussing social issues and personal growth in more detail.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'reform' in academic and professional contexts. You should recognize common collocations like 'radical reform,' 'comprehensive reform,' and 'institutional reform.' You should also understand the difference between 'reform' and 'revolution.' A reform happens within the system, while a revolution replaces the system. You can use 'reform' to discuss complex topics like 'tax reform' or 'electoral reform' with nuance, acknowledging that reforms are often the result of long debates and political compromise.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the historical and ideological weight of 'reform.' You should be able to discuss the 'Protestant Reformation' and its impact on Western history. You should also understand the use of 'reform' in specific fields like 'tort reform' in law or 'structural reform' in economics. You should be able to use the word with precision, distinguishing it from 'amendment,' 'overhaul,' or 'rectification.' At this level, you can use 'reform' to analyze the effectiveness of public policies and the moral evolution of societies.

At the C2 level, you should have a masterly command of 'reform,' using it to convey subtle shades of meaning in sophisticated discourse. You can use it to discuss the philosophical implications of 'self-reform' or the geopolitical consequences of 'market reforms' in developing nations. You should be able to navigate the word's various registers, from the formal language of international treaties to the more idiomatic use of 'reformed' in personal narratives. Your use of 'reform' should reflect a deep understanding of how systems and individuals evolve over time through intentional, structural change.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

reform en 30 secondes

Reform is the act of improving a system, law, or person by making significant and purposeful changes to its structure or behavior.
As a verb, it means to make these improvements; as a noun, it refers to the improvement itself or the specific change made.
It is commonly used in political, legal, and social contexts, often implying a positive, moral, or functional advancement over the previous state.
Unlike revolution, reform happens within the existing system, and unlike repair, it applies to abstract systems or human character rather than physical objects.

The word reform is a versatile term that functions as both a verb and a noun, primarily used to describe the act of improving something by making significant changes. Unlike a simple 'fix' or 'repair,' a reform usually implies a systematic or structural overhaul. It is most frequently encountered in the realms of politics, law, and social justice, where it refers to the modification of institutions to make them more efficient, fair, or modern. However, it also carries a deeply personal meaning, referring to the moral or behavioral improvement of an individual. When a person 'reforms,' they abandon their past misconduct or harmful habits in favor of a more constructive lifestyle.

Political Context: In politics, reform is the bread and butter of legislative progress. It suggests that a system is not fundamentally broken beyond repair, but requires adjustment to function correctly. For example, 'tax reform' involves changing how taxes are collected to make the process more equitable.

The activists demanded immediate police reform to ensure community safety and accountability.

The nuance of reform lies in its positive connotation. While 'change' can be neutral or even negative, 'reform' almost always implies a change for the better. It suggests a purposeful, often difficult, process of refinement. In historical contexts, we often speak of the 'Reformation,' a major 16th-century movement aimed at reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, which eventually led to the establishment of Protestantism. This historical weight gives the word a sense of gravity and importance.

Personal Growth: When applied to people, 'reform' often appears in the context of criminal justice or addiction recovery. A 'reformed' criminal is someone who has served their time and successfully integrated back into society as a law-abiding citizen.

After years of reckless living, he finally decided to reform his ways and dedicate his life to helping others.

In daily life, you might hear this word during discussions about education, healthcare, or corporate structure. If a company is failing, the board might implement 'structural reforms' to cut costs and improve productivity. The word suggests a high-level, strategic approach to problem-solving rather than a quick fix. It is a word of hope and progress, signaling that even the most entrenched systems or habits can be improved through dedicated effort and thoughtful change.

Educational reform is necessary to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century.

Economic Application: Economic reform often involves deregulation or the privatization of state-owned industries to stimulate growth and competition in a global market.

The country underwent radical economic reform in the 1990s.

He is a reformed smoker who now runs marathons.

Using 'reform' correctly requires understanding its role as both a transitive verb (taking an object) and an intransitive verb (not taking an object), as well as its function as a noun. When used as a transitive verb, you are reforming *something*—a law, a system, or a person. For example, 'The administration plans to reform the healthcare system.' Here, the healthcare system is the object being improved. When used intransitively, the subject itself is changing. For instance, 'The criminal promised to reform.' In this case, the criminal is the one undergoing the change.

Verb Usage: Transitive: To reform something means to act upon it to make it better. It implies authority or a deliberate effort to change an external entity.

The new CEO was hired specifically to reform the company's toxic culture.

As a noun, 'reform' can be countable or uncountable. When referring to the general concept of improvement, it is often uncountable: 'The system is in desperate need of reform.' However, when referring to specific legislative acts or changes, it becomes countable: 'The government passed several land reforms.' This distinction is important for grammatical agreement. You would say 'The reforms were successful' (plural) but 'Reform is necessary' (singular/uncountable).

Noun Usage: Countable vs. Uncountable: Use the plural 'reforms' when listing specific policy changes. Use the singular 'reform' when discussing the abstract idea of improvement.

These reforms will take years to fully implement across the country.

In academic writing, 'reform' is often paired with verbs like 'implement,' 'initiate,' 'advocate for,' or 'oppose.' For example, 'The scholars advocated for a reform of the judicial process.' In more casual conversation, you might use the past participle 'reformed' as an adjective to describe someone who has changed their ways: 'He's a reformed character now.' This usage is very common when talking about people who have overcome addiction or a criminal past.

She has become a reformed person since she started volunteering.

Verb Usage: Intransitive: When the subject changes themselves, no object is needed. This is common in literature and moral discussions.

It is never too late for a person to reform.

The government is under pressure to reform the prison system.

You will encounter the word 'reform' in a variety of professional and public settings. One of the most common places is in news broadcasts and political journalism. Journalists frequently report on 'immigration reform,' 'healthcare reform,' or 'welfare reform.' In these contexts, the word signals a major debate about how society should be organized. If you listen to a political speech, you are almost certain to hear a candidate promise to 'reform the system' to better serve the people. It is a powerful rhetorical tool because it implies that the speaker has a plan to fix deep-seated problems.

News and Media: News outlets use 'reform' to describe legislative changes. It is a standard term in headlines concerning government policy and social movements.

Today's headline: 'Senate Passes Landmark Criminal Justice Reform Bill.'

In the business world, 'reform' is often used during periods of restructuring. When a company is struggling or has been involved in a scandal, the leadership might announce 'corporate reforms' to regain public trust. This might include new ethical guidelines, changes in management, or more transparent accounting practices. If you work in a large organization, you might hear about 'internal reforms' designed to streamline workflows or improve employee morale. In this sense, reform is about organizational health and sustainability.

Academic and Historical Study: In history and sociology classes, 'reform' is used to categorize movements that sought to change society without completely overthrowing the existing order.

The Progressive Era in the United States was characterized by a wave of social reforms.

You will also hear 'reform' in legal and judicial settings. Lawyers and judges often discuss 'sentencing reform' or 'tort reform.' These discussions are usually about making the legal system more predictable and fair. Furthermore, in religious contexts, particularly within Judaism, 'Reform' (with a capital R) refers to a specific branch of the faith that emphasizes the evolving nature of the religion and the importance of individual choice and social justice. This is a very specific use of the word that you might encounter in cultural or religious discussions.

They attend a Reform synagogue in the city center.

Self-Help and Recovery: In personal development, 'reform' is used to describe the process of breaking bad habits and building a better character.

The program aims to reform young offenders through education and mentorship.

Many voters are calling for campaign finance reform.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 'reform' with 'revolution.' While both involve change, they are fundamentally different in scope and method. A 'revolution' usually implies a complete and often violent overthrow of a system, whereas 'reform' implies making changes within the existing system to improve it. If you say, 'The workers started a reform to topple the government,' it sounds contradictory. You should use 'revolution' or 'uprising' for toppling, and 'reform' for improving. Another common error is using 'reform' when you simply mean 'repair' or 'fix.' You reform a system or a character, but you repair a car or fix a broken chair.

Reform vs. Revolution: Reform is gradual and internal; revolution is sudden and external. Don't use 'reform' if the goal is to destroy the current system entirely.

Incorrect: We need to reform the broken window. (Use 'repair' instead).

Another nuance involves the word 'reshape.' While 'reshape' can be a synonym, it is more neutral. 'Reform' always carries the weight of moral or functional improvement. If you say you are 'reforming' your schedule, it implies your previous schedule was bad or inefficient. If you are just 'reshaping' it, you might just be moving things around for convenience. Be careful not to use 'reform' for minor, trivial changes. It is a 'heavy' word that should be reserved for significant improvements.

Confusing with 'Renovate': 'Renovate' is for buildings and physical structures. 'Reform' is for systems, laws, and people.

Incorrect: The city decided to reform the old library building. (Use 'renovate' instead).

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the preposition that follows 'reform' when it's used as a noun. While you can say 'reform of the system,' it is often more natural to use 'reform' as a modifier: 'system reform' or 'healthcare reform.' If you do use a preposition, 'of' is the most common. Avoid using 'to' or 'for' directly after the noun 'reform' in most cases (e.g., 'the reform to the law' is less common than 'the reform of the law' or 'legal reform').

Correct: The reform of the educational system took decades.

Misusing the Adjective Form: Use 'reformed' to describe the person who has changed. Use 'reformist' to describe the person who wants to change the system.

He is a reformist politician with many new ideas.

The reformed prisoner gave a speech to the students.

To truly master 'reform,' it's helpful to compare it with its synonyms and near-synonyms. 'Amend' is a close relative, often used in legal contexts. However, 'amend' usually refers to a specific, small change to a document (like an amendment to the Constitution), whereas 'reform' implies a broader, more systemic change. 'Improve' is the most general alternative, but it lacks the structural and formal weight of 'reform.' You can improve your golf swing, but you wouldn't 'reform' it unless it was part of a major moral or systematic change in your life.

Reform vs. Amend: Reform is for the whole system; amend is for a specific part of a text or law. You reform the tax system, but you amend a specific tax law.

The committee voted to amend the third paragraph of the contract.

'Rectify' is another interesting alternative. It means to 'set right' or correct a mistake. While 'reform' is about improvement over time, 'rectify' is often about fixing a specific error that has already occurred. If a bank makes a mistake on your statement, they 'rectify' the error. They don't 'reform' your statement. 'Rehabilitate' is the best alternative when talking about people, especially in a medical or criminal context. It focuses on restoring someone to health or a useful life. 'Reform' focuses more on the person's character and behavior.

Reform vs. Rectify: Rectify is for correcting a specific error; reform is for improving a general practice or system.

We must rectify this injustice immediately.

In a political context, you might hear 'restructure.' This is a more neutral, business-like term. It implies changing the organization of something without necessarily making a moral judgment. 'Reform' is more value-laden; it implies that the previous state was 'bad' or 'corrupt' and the new state will be 'good' or 'pure.' Finally, 'transform' is a very strong word that implies a complete change in nature or appearance. While a reform changes the rules, a transformation might change the very essence of the thing itself.

The digital age has transformed the way we communicate.

Reform vs. Transform: Reform is about improvement through modification; transformation is about a total change in form or character.

The new policy is a major reform, but it won't transform the industry overnight.

The company needs to restructure its debt to avoid bankruptcy.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"The administration is committed to the reform of the judicial system."

Neutre

"We need to reform the way we handle customer complaints."

Informel

"He's a reformed man since he started exercising."

Child friendly

"The teacher reformed the rules so everyone could play fairly."

Argot

"He really cleaned up his act; he's totally reformed."

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'Reformation' with a capital 'R' specifically refers to the 16th-century religious movement, but the word 'reform' was used for centuries before that to describe any kind of improvement.

Guide de prononciation

UK /rɪˈfɔːm/

US /rɪˈfɔːrm/

Second syllable: re-FORM

Rime avec

form storm warm norm platform inform perform conform

Erreurs fréquentes

Stressing the first syllable (RE-form).
Pronouncing the 'e' like 'ee' (REE-form).
Forgetting the 'r' sound in US English.
Confusing the noun and verb stress (they are the same).
Pronouncing 'form' like 'farm'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Common in news and history books.

Écriture 4/5

Requires understanding of noun vs. verb usage.

Expression orale 3/5

Useful for expressing opinions on social issues.

Écoute 3/5

Frequently heard in formal speeches and broadcasts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

change improve law system rule

Apprends ensuite

amendment legislation bureaucracy restructure overhaul

Avancé

institutionalize paradigm shift rectification ecclesiastical agrarian

Grammaire à connaître

Noun vs. Verb

The reform (noun) was successful. They want to reform (verb) the law.

Transitive vs. Intransitive

He reformed the system (transitive). He reformed (intransitive).

Adjective 'Reformed'

He is a reformed smoker.

Countability

We need reform (uncountable). We need three reforms (countable).

Prepositions

A reform of the system. A reform in education.

Exemples par niveau

The king made a reform to help poor people.

El rey hizo una reforma para ayudar a la gente pobre.

Noun: 'a reform'

We need to reform the school rules.

Necesitamos reformar las reglas de la escuela.

Verb: 'to reform'

Is this a good reform?

¿Es esta una buena reforma?

Question form

He wants to reform his life.

Él quiere reformar su vida.

Verb with object 'his life'

The reform was very fast.

La reforma fue muy rápida.

Subject: 'The reform'

They like the new reform.

A ellos les gusta la nueva reforma.

Direct object

She will reform the system.

Ella reformará el sistema.

Future tense

The reform helps everyone.

La reforma ayuda a todos.

Present simple

The government is planning a tax reform.

El gobierno está planeando una reforma fiscal.

Compound noun: 'tax reform'

He decided to reform his bad habits.

Él decidió reformar sus malos hábitos.

Infinitive: 'to reform'

Many people asked for social reform.

Mucha gente pidió una reforma social.

Uncountable noun

The new law is a great reform.

La nueva ley es una gran reforma.

Predicate nominative

She reformed the way she works.

Ella reformó la manera en que trabaja.

Past tense

We are looking for a reform in education.

Estamos buscando una reforma en la educación.

Prepositional phrase 'in education'

He is a reformed man now.

Él es un hombre reformado ahora.

Adjective: 'reformed'

The city needs a reform of its transport.

La ciudad necesita una reforma de su transporte.

Noun with 'of'

The prisoner showed a strong desire to reform.

El prisionero mostró un fuerte deseo de reformarse.

Intransitive verb

Educational reform is a key issue in the election.

La reforma educativa es un tema clave en las elecciones.

Subject of the sentence

They are trying to reform the healthcare system.

Están intentando reformar el sistema de salud.

Present continuous

The company underwent a major structural reform.

La empresa se sometió a una importante reforma estructural.

Collocation: 'structural reform'

He has completely reformed his lifestyle.

Él ha reformado completamente su estilo de vida.

Present perfect

The reforms were welcomed by the public.

Las reformas fueron bien recibidas por el público.

Passive voice

She is advocating for prison reform.

Ella está abogando por la reforma penitenciaria.

Prepositional object

The old system was in desperate need of reform.

El viejo sistema tenía una necesidad desesperada de reforma.

Phrase: 'in need of reform'

The government's failure to reform the economy led to a crisis.

El fracaso del gobierno en reformar la economía llevó a una crisis.

Infinitive phrase as noun complement

Radical reforms are necessary to address climate change.

Son necesarias reformas radicales para abordar el cambio climático.

Adjective: 'radical'

He is a reformed character who now works with youth at risk.

Es un personaje reformado que ahora trabaja con jóvenes en riesgo.

Idiomatic: 'reformed character'

The bill proposes significant reforms to the judicial process.

El proyecto de ley propone reformas significativas al proceso judicial.

Plural noun

Many activists argue that the police force cannot be reformed.

Muchos activistas sostienen que la fuerza policial no puede ser reformada.

Modal passive: 'cannot be reformed'

The country has seen a series of democratic reforms lately.

El país ha visto una serie de reformas democráticas últimamente.

Noun phrase

The CEO initiated a reform of the corporate governance structure.

El CEO inició una reforma de la estructura de gobierno corporativo.

Verb: 'initiated'

Welfare reform remains a highly controversial topic.

La reforma del bienestar sigue siendo un tema muy controvertido.

Uncountable noun as subject

The 19th century was an era of unprecedented social reform.

El siglo XIX fue una era de reformas sociales sin precedentes.

Adjective: 'unprecedented'

The treaty mandates that the nation reform its labor laws.

El tratado exige que la nación reforme sus leyes laborales.

Subjunctive mood (implied)

Critics argue the reforms are merely cosmetic and lack substance.

Los críticos sostienen que las reformas son meramente cosméticas y carecen de sustancia.

Adjective: 'cosmetic'

He wrote a treatise on the necessity of ecclesiastical reform.

Escribió un tratado sobre la necesidad de la reforma eclesiástica.

Adjective: 'ecclesiastical'

The central bank implemented market reforms to curb inflation.

El banco central implementó reformas de mercado para frenar la inflación.

Verb: 'implemented'

The movement sought to reform the system from within.

El movimiento buscó reformar el sistema desde adentro.

Prepositional phrase: 'from within'

Land reform is essential for achieving social equity in the region.

La reforma agraria es esencial para lograr la equidad social en la región.

Subject: 'Land reform'

The philosopher believed that self-reform was the highest virtue.

El filósofo creía que la autorreforma era la virtud más alta.

Compound noun: 'self-reform'

The intricate web of bureaucracy makes any attempt to reform the civil service a Herculean task.

La intrincada red de burocracia hace que cualquier intento de reformar el servicio civil sea una tarea hercúlea.

Complex sentence structure

The impetus for reform often stems from a profound systemic failure.

El ímpetu para la reforma a menudo surge de un profundo fracaso sistémico.

Noun: 'impetus'

He is a staunch advocate for comprehensive immigration reform.

Es un firme defensor de una reforma migratoria integral.

Adjective: 'staunch'

The reforms were predicated on the assumption that the market would self-regulate.

Las reformas se basaron en el supuesto de que el mercado se autorregularía.

Passive: 'were predicated on'

The sheer scale of the proposed reforms has sparked nationwide debate.

La magnitud de las reformas propuestas ha provocado un debate a nivel nacional.

Noun phrase: 'sheer scale'

The government's agenda is dominated by the need for structural reform.

La agenda del gobierno está dominada por la necesidad de una reforma estructural.

Passive voice

The historical significance of the reform cannot be overstated.

La importancia histórica de la reforma no puede ser exagerada.

Phrase: 'cannot be overstated'

They are calling for a radical reform of the global financial architecture.

Están pidiendo una reforma radical de la arquitectura financiera global.

Metaphorical: 'financial architecture'

Collocations courantes

social reform

economic reform

tax reform

educational reform

radical reform

land reform

legal reform

prison reform

structural reform

comprehensive reform

Phrases Courantes

in need of reform

advocate for reform

oppose reform

initiate reform

implement reform

call for reform

resist reform

sweeping reforms

modest reforms

market reforms

Souvent confondu avec

reform vs revolution

Revolution is a total overthrow; reform is improvement within the system.

reform vs renovate

Renovate is for buildings; reform is for systems and people.

reform vs repair

Repair is for physical objects; reform is for abstract structures.

Expressions idiomatiques

"reform one's ways"

To change one's bad behavior and start acting better.

He promised to reform his ways after the accident.

neutral

"a reformed character"

A person who used to behave badly but has now changed for the better.

Since he joined the church, he's been a reformed character.

informal

"the spirit of reform"

A general feeling or movement in favor of making improvements.

The spirit of reform was strong in the city that year.

formal

"reform from within"

To change an organization by working inside it rather than attacking it from outside.

She decided to join the company and reform it from within.

neutral

"mending one's ways"

A similar idiom to 'reforming one's ways,' meaning to improve behavior.

It's time you started mending your ways.

informal

"turn over a new leaf"

To start behaving in a better way.

He decided to turn over a new leaf and stop lying.

informal

"clean up one's act"

To improve one's behavior or performance.

The team needs to clean up its act if they want to win.

informal

"set one's house in order"

To organize or improve one's own affairs before criticizing others.

The government needs to set its own house in order before it can reform the country.

neutral

"straighten up and fly right"

To start behaving properly and responsibly.

You'd better straighten up and fly right if you want to keep your job.

informal

"walk the straight and narrow"

To live a law-abiding and moral life.

He's been walking the straight and narrow ever since he got out of prison.

informal

Facile à confondre

reform vs reshape

Both mean to change the form.

Reshape is neutral; reform implies improvement.

She reshaped the clay. The leader reformed the law.

reform vs amend

Both are used for laws.

Amend is for small changes to text; reform is for the whole system.

They amended the bill. They reformed the healthcare system.

reform vs rectify

Both mean to make right.

Rectify is for specific errors; reform is for general practices.

Rectify the mistake. Reform the education system.

reform vs transform

Both mean big change.

Transform is a total change in nature; reform is an improvement in function.

The caterpillar transformed into a butterfly. The school reformed its rules.

reform vs rehabilitate

Both are used for people.

Rehabilitate is medical/restorative; reform is moral/behavioral.

Rehabilitate the knee. Reform the criminal.

Structures de phrases

I want to reform [something].

I want to reform my room.

The [noun] needs reform.

The school needs reform.

He is a reformed [noun].

He is a reformed thief.

The government is implementing [adjective] reforms.

The government is implementing radical reforms.

The necessity of [adjective] reform is [adjective].

The necessity of social reform is evident.

The impetus for [noun] reform stems from [noun].

The impetus for tax reform stems from public anger.

It is time to reform [noun].

It is time to reform the law.

There is a call for [adjective] reform.

There is a call for comprehensive reform.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in news, politics, and history; less common in casual daily chores.

Erreurs courantes

I need to reform my computer. → I need to repair my computer.
Reform is for systems and people, not machines.
The reform to the government was violent. → The revolution against the government was violent.
Reforms are typically peaceful and legal.
He is a reform man. → He is a reformed man.
Use the past participle 'reformed' as an adjective for a person.
The government made a reformations. → The government made some reforms.
'Reformation' is usually singular and specific to history; 'reforms' is the plural of the general noun.
We must reform the broken glass. → We must replace the broken glass.
Reform is not used for physical objects.

Astuces

Use for Systems

Always use 'reform' when talking about improving a large organization or a set of rules.

Noun or Verb

Remember that 'reform' doesn't change its spelling between the noun and verb forms.

Positive Tone

Use 'reform' to give your writing a positive, proactive tone regarding change.

Common Adjectives

Learn 'radical,' 'social,' and 'economic' as they often go with 'reform.'

Stress the End

Make sure to emphasize the 'FORM' part of the word when speaking.

News Context

When you hear 'reform' on the news, think about what system is being improved.

Self-Improvement

Use 'reform' to describe a serious commitment to changing a bad habit.

Capital R

If you see 'Reformation,' check if it's talking about Martin Luther and the church.

Avoid Slang

In essays, 'reform' is much better than 'fixing up' or 'making better.'

Not a Revolution

Use 'reform' to describe change that happens within the law, not against it.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'RE' (again) + 'FORM' (shape). To reform is to shape something again to make it better.

Association visuelle

Imagine a potter taking a lumpy, ugly piece of clay and 're-forming' it into a beautiful vase.

Word Web

change improve law politics character system better fix

Défi

Try to use the word 'reform' in three different ways today: as a noun for a law, as a verb for a habit, and as an adjective for a person.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin word 'reformare,' which means 'to form again' or 'to mold anew.' It entered Middle English via the Old French word 'reformer.'

Sens originel : To restore to a previous good state or to give a new form to something.

Indo-European (Latin branch)

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'reform' in religious contexts, as it can refer to specific denominations.

Commonly used in political debates in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.

The Protestant Reformation The Reform Act of 1832 (UK) The Great Reformer (nickname for various leaders)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Politics

pass a reform
veto a reform
propose a reform
political reform

Law

legal reform
tort reform
sentencing reform
judicial reform

Business

corporate reform
structural reform
management reform
internal reform

Education

curriculum reform
school reform
educational reform
funding reform

Personal Life

reform one's habits
a reformed person
self-reform
reform one's ways

Amorces de conversation

"What kind of educational reform do you think is most needed in your country?"

"Do you believe that a person can truly reform their character after doing something wrong?"

"If you were the leader of your city, what is the first reform you would implement?"

"Have you ever had to reform one of your own bad habits? How did you do it?"

"Why do you think some people are so resistant to social reform?"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time you decided to reform a part of your daily routine. What were the results?

Discuss the pros and cons of radical reform versus gradual change in a political system.

Reflect on a historical reform that you think had the biggest impact on the world today.

If you could reform any law in your country, which one would it be and why?

Describe what a 'reformed' society would look like to you. What would be the main differences?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you should use 'repair' or 'restore' for a car. Reform is for systems or people.

Usually, yes. It implies improvement. However, some people might disagree with a specific reform.

Reform is the general act; Reformation usually refers to the 16th-century religious movement.

It's better to use 'adjust' or 'modify' for small changes. Reform implies something significant.

No, you can be a reformed smoker, a reformed gambler, or even a reformed procrastinator.

It's re-FORM, with the stress on the second part.

These are very large changes that affect almost every part of a system.

Yes, a company can reform its internal policies or its corporate culture.

Yes, it is more formal than 'fix' or 'change.'

It is the process of changing laws about who owns and uses land, often to help poor farmers.