he is making

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is making" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or process that someone is currently engaged in. Example: "He is making dinner for his family tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is making recruiting calls.

The New York Times

And he is making headway.

The New York Times

But he is making progress.

The Economist

He is making himself sick.

The New Yorker

He is making a joke.

The New Yorker

He is making kebabs.

The New York Times - Food

And he is making cheap improvements.

The Economist

Not that he is making any excuses.

The New York Times - Sports

He is making noises about retiring.

The New Yorker

He is making moves against both.

The New Yorker

Inch by inch, he is making progress.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing additional context of what "he is making", specify the object of the verb. For example, "He is making a cake" is more informative than just saying "He is making."

Common error

Avoid using "he is making" to describe habitual actions. Use the simple present tense instead. For example, say "He makes dinner every night" instead of "He is making dinner every night" if it's a regular occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is making" functions as a present continuous construction, indicating an action that is currently in progress. It combines the pronoun "he", the auxiliary verb "is", and the present participle "making" to describe ongoing activities, like in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

20%

General Conversation

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is making" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an action currently in progress. According to Ludwig, this present continuous construction is versatile and found across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and everyday conversation. The phrase is typically used in a neutral register and is easily understood. When using the phrase, be clear about the object of the action, such as "He is making dinner", for more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he's creating

Replaces "making" with a synonym emphasizing the act of bringing something into existence.

he is producing

Substitutes "making" with a term that highlights the process of generating something.

he's developing

Emphasizes the act of gradual growth or advancement.

he is constructing

Focuses on the building or assembling aspect of the action.

he is building

Similar to constructing, but can also imply creating something over time.

he is preparing

Highlights the act of getting ready or making something ready.

he is forming

Suggests the act of shaping or giving form to something.

he is crafting

Implies skill and artistry in the act of making.

he is generating

Focuses on the act of producing or bringing something into being.

he is undertaking

Suggests he is engaging in or committing himself to a task.

FAQs

How can I use "he is making" in a sentence?

Use "he is making" to describe an action in progress. For example, "He is making progress on his project."

What can I say instead of "he is making"?

You can use alternatives like "he is creating", "he is producing", or "he is developing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he is making" or "he makes"?

The choice depends on the context. "He is making" describes an ongoing action, while "he makes" describes a habitual action. For example, "He is making dinner now", versus, "He makes dinner every Sunday."

What's the difference between "he is making" and "he was making"?

"He is making" refers to an action happening now, while "he was making" refers to an action that was happening in the past.