Makes a big difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Makes a big difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something has a significant impact or effect on a situation or outcome. Example: "Your support during this project really makes a big difference in our success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

That makes a big difference".

The New York Times - Sports

"Happiness makes a big difference".

The New York Times - Sports

Plus losing weight makes a big difference.

The New York Times

And it makes a big difference.

The New York Times

And home soil makes a big difference".

Independent

It makes a big difference for us.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It made a big difference.

The New York Times

"Small things can make a big difference.

Independent

"It made a big difference," she said.

The New York Times

That has made a big difference.

The Economist

He made a big difference in mine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "makes a big difference", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being impacted. For instance, "Investing in employee training makes a big difference in overall productivity."

Common error

Avoid using "makes a big difference" without specifying the area of impact. Instead of saying "This will make a big difference", clarify with "This will make a big difference to customer satisfaction".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes a big difference" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically indicating that an action, factor, or element significantly affects an outcome or situation. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is widely used to highlight the importance or impact of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Wiki

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "makes a big difference" is a common and versatile expression used to emphasize the significant impact or influence of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. While it is generally suitable for most situations, more formal writing might benefit from more precise alternatives such as "has a significant impact" or "creates a substantial change". It's crucial to use the phrase with clear context to avoid vagueness and ensure the intended impact is well-understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Has a significant impact

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more formal and direct alternative.

Creates a substantial change

Focuses on the resulting alteration rather than the act of making a difference.

Leads to a marked improvement

Highlights the positive outcome or advancement resulting from the action.

Matters a great deal

Uses a simpler, more emphatic expression to convey importance.

Is of considerable consequence

Emphasizes the importance or relevance of something in a formal way.

Plays a crucial role

Indicates that something is essential or vital to an outcome.

Behaves as a game changer

Suggests that something fundamentally alters the dynamics of a situation.

Exerts a strong influence

Focuses on the power or effect that something has on something else.

Brings about a sea change

Suggests a massive and fundamental transformation.

Makes a world of difference

Exaggerates the impact to emphasize its significance.

FAQs

How can I use "makes a big difference" in a sentence?

Use "makes a big difference" to emphasize a significant impact or positive change, such as "Providing regular feedback "makes a big difference" in employee performance".

What are some alternatives to "makes a big difference"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has a significant impact", "creates a substantial change", or "leads to a marked improvement", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "make a big difference" instead of "makes a big difference"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "make" with plural subjects (e.g., "These changes make a big difference") and "makes" with singular subjects (e.g., "This change "makes a big difference"").

In what contexts is "makes a big difference" most appropriate?

"Makes a big difference" is suitable for various contexts, from informal conversations to formal reports, where you want to highlight a substantial impact. However, in highly formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "is of considerable consequence".