About the difference between 'fix' and 'repair'.

[peppy_man]

'If something goes wrong with a robot, it would cost the company so much money and time to (fix / repair) it.'

In this context which is better, 'fix' or 'repair'?

Also I'd like to make it clear what is the difference between 'fix' and 'repair'.

Thank you in advance.

[Mister Micawber]

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The only difference I sense is that 'repair' is slightly more formal, so I would recommend using that in writing.

(They of course have other meanings that are not synonymous: 'repair to the sitting room'; 'fix a race'.)

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[HaraKiriBlade]

Both works, but to me, 'fix' sounds more fit in the particular sentence. It flows better in the sentence. I mean, try reading it aloud. Oh and I think it pairs better with 'something goes wrong' part of the sentence. (This is not a rule though, and it doesn't apply everywhere)

If the teachers here say otherwise, just ignore my post and go with their answers.

[Mister Micawber]

[fix] pairs better with 'something goes wrong' part of the sentence

You have a good ear, HKB-- I agree, the informal register of the rest of the sentence makes 'fix' more comfortable here.

[peppy_man]

Mister Micawber and HaraKiriBlade, thank you for your reply!

>[fix] pairs better with 'something goes wrong' part of the sentence

I've learned that combination of words (or cooccurrence restriction?) should be taken into account when speaking or writing English.
BTW, now I'm interested in a formal sentence which pairs with 'repair' in the context.
For example, I changed 'something goes wrong with' part of the sentence this way.

'If there is a technical problem with a robot, it would cost the company so much money and time to repair it.'

or

'If a robot has a technical problem, it would cost the company so much money and time to repair it.'

I guess 'a technical problem' sounds more formal than 'something goes wrong with'.
Thank you.

[Steven D]

There's also"

fix up

in a fix

[Mister Micawber]

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If there is a technical problem with a robot, it would cost the company so much money and time to repair it.

or

'If a robot has a technical problem, it would cost the company so much money and time to repair it.

Good work, Peppy. Let's take it a little further, shall we?--

If there is a technical problem with a robot, it would cost the company considerable money and time to repair it.

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[peppy_man]

Thank you, Mister Micawber.
Sorry for the delay in writing you back.

>Good work, Peppy. Let's take it a little further, shall we?--

Yes!

>If there is a technical problem with a robot, it would cost the company >considerable money and time to repair it.

You mean 'considerable' tends to be used in formal expressions and 'so much' in informal expressions?

In my observation, 'so much' tends to be used with nouns with negative meanings, such as 'so much confusion', 'so much trouble' and 'cost them so much time and money'.

Is this correct?
If so, is the same true for 'considerable'?

Thanks.

[Mister Micawber]

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Yes, I meant that 'considerable' is more formal than 'much'-- and 'considerable' is also a useful substitute in affirmative sentences, where 'much' is often awkward and unnatural.

I don't see any particular negativity in either phrase, however. These seem equally common to me:

I had so much /considerable trouble finding a replacement widget.
I get so much /considerable enjoyment from a good cabernet sauvignon.

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