it was made to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was made to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the purpose or intention behind the creation of something. Example: "The device was designed with user-friendliness in mind; it was made to simplify complex tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is not known what the engraving represents, but it was made to be seen by its maker and others.

The Economist

When an individual observed in its range of repetition another individual displaying an escape manoeuvre, it was made to repeat this manoeuvre.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

It was made to look beautiful.

The New York Times

It was made to save your soul.

The New York Times - Arts

It was made to compete with Mr. Segert's work.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was made to be renovated," Shafer said.

The New Yorker

"Basically, it was made to play golf on Sundays".

The New York Times

It was made to show Blinky Palermo drawings.

The Guardian - Arts

"Especially in an older house, it was made to have that trim," he said.

The New York Times

"Not only was it destroyed," he said, "it was made to be forgotten".

The New York Times

"It was made to look like forking over the cash was the only solution".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was made to" to clearly state the intended function or purpose of something. For example: "The software update was made to improve user security."

Common error

Avoid using "it was made to" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The decision was made to postpone the meeting", consider "We decided to postpone the meeting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was made to" functions as a passive construction used to indicate the purpose or intended function of something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it clearly communicates the reason behind the creation or modification of an object, system, or process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

26%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was made to" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to describe the intended purpose or function of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While it's suitable for most situations, it's important to consider whether an active voice construction might be more direct and impactful. Consider using synonyms like "it was designed to" or "its purpose was to" for variety and precision. Always ensure clarity when explaining the intent behind an action or design, and the examples provided clearly showcase its versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was designed to

Focuses on the planning and engineering aspect of creation, highlighting intentionality.

it was intended to

Emphasizes the purpose or goal that something was meant to achieve.

it was created for

Highlights the purpose or reason behind something's creation or construction.

it was built for

Focuses on the construction aspect, suggesting suitability for a specific task.

it was constructed to

Similar to "built for", but emphasizes a more formal or complex construction process.

it was fashioned for

Suggests a careful or artistic approach to creation, implying a specific purpose.

it was produced for

Highlights the manufacturing or production aspect, implying a specific intended use.

it was developed for

Emphasizes a process of improvement or evolution towards a specific purpose.

it was conceived as

Focuses on the initial idea or concept behind something's creation.

its purpose was to

Directly states the reason or goal that something was created to fulfill.

FAQs

How do I use "it was made to" in a sentence?

Use "it was made to" to describe the intended purpose or function of something. For instance, "This tool "was made to" simplify the process" indicates the tool's purpose is simplification.

What are some alternatives to "it was made to"?

Alternatives include "it was designed to", "it was intended to", or "its purpose "was to"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was made for" interchangeable with "it was made to"?

While similar, "it was made for" generally indicates a broader suitability or target audience, whereas "it was made to" specifies a precise action or function. For example, "This app "was made for" beginners", while "This app "was made to" track expenses".

What is the difference between "it was made to" and "it was created to"?

"It was created to" and "it was made to" are largely interchangeable, but "it was created to" may emphasize the act of creation more directly. Both are used to describe the reason for existence or the intended purpose of something.