it makes a difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it makes a 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: "Every small action counts; it makes a difference in the fight against climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And it makes a difference.

The New York Times

But it makes a difference.

The Economist

So it makes a difference.

University of California, Berkeley

It makes a difference you can tell.

The New York Times

Anecdotally, we know it makes a difference".

The New York Times

Cook hopes it makes a difference.

Independent

Like it makes a difference or something".

The New Yorker

"It makes a difference to me".

The New York Times

On some level, it makes a difference.

The Guardian - Books

"Believe me, it makes a difference.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It made a difference".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it makes a difference" to underscore the importance of actions, especially when the outcome might not be immediately apparent. For instance, "Volunteering your time, even for a few hours, it makes a difference in someone's life."

Common error

Avoid using "it makes a difference" in situations where the impact is negligible or unproven. Overusing the phrase can dilute its meaning and credibility. Make sure that you have enough support before making the claim that "it makes a difference".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it makes a difference" functions as a declarative statement asserting that something has a noticeable or significant effect. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse sources illustrating its widespread use. It is used to emphasize impact or importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it makes a difference" is a commonly used expression to emphasize that something has a significant impact or effect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides extensive examples from sources spanning news, academia, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring the impact is genuine and demonstrable. Alternatives like "it has an impact" or "it matters" can be used for variety, but "it makes a difference" remains a powerful and widely understood way to highlight the importance of actions and decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has an impact

Focuses on the effect something has, similar to making a difference, but slightly more direct.

it matters

Emphasizes the importance of something, implying it has a significant effect or influence.

it is significant

Highlights the importance or consequence of something, suggesting a noteworthy impact.

it has a consequence

Points out the result or effect of something, often implying a chain of events following an action.

it is of consequence

A more formal way of saying something matters or has an important effect.

it is important

Stresses the relevance and value of something, suggesting it should be taken seriously.

it is relevant

Indicates that something is connected to the current topic or situation, implying it has bearing.

it counts

Suggests that something is worth considering or has an impact, even if it seems small.

it is effective

Highlights the success of something in achieving a desired outcome.

it registers

Indicates that something is noticed or has an effect, often implying a subtle but definite impact.

FAQs

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

Use "it makes a difference" to highlight the positive impact or significance of an action or decision. For example, "Recycling regularly "it makes a difference" in preserving our environment."

What are some alternatives to saying "it makes a difference"?

You can use phrases like "it has an impact", "it matters", or "it is significant" to convey a similar meaning.

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

Yes, "it made a difference" is the past tense form of the phrase and is correct when referring to something that had an impact in the past.

In what contexts is "it makes a difference" most appropriately used?

"It makes a difference" is suitable in various contexts, including discussions about social issues, personal choices, and professional decisions, where the impact of actions is being emphasized. For example, in healthcare, "Providing early intervention "it makes a difference" in patient outcomes".