made it possible

USAGE SUMMARY

"made it possible" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "The invention of the wheel made it possible for us to travel long distances more quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He made it possible.

The New York Times - Arts

"You made it possible".

The New York Times

The Democrats made it possible".

The New York Times

They merely made it possible.

The New York Times - Books

Giuliani made it possible.

The Washington Post

What made it possible?

The New York Times

So he made it possible for them".

The New York Times

Advances in technology made it possible.

The Economist

Brian Shaw made it possible.

The New York Times - Sports

"You haven't made it possible".

The New York Times

In fact, they made it possible.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made it possible" when you want to emphasize a direct causal relationship or the removal of obstacles that prevented something from happening. For example, "The new software update made it possible to process data more efficiently."

Common error

Avoid using "made it possible" excessively in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Instead, focus on active voice to specify who or what enabled the outcome. For example, instead of "It was made possible by the grant", write "The grant made it possible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made it possible" functions primarily as a causative verb phrase. It indicates that something facilitated or enabled a specific outcome or action. Ludwig examples showcase its use in explaining how various factors, such as technology or funding, enabled particular results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made it possible" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate causation and enablement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides ample examples from diverse sources. It functions as a causative verb phrase, expressing how certain conditions or actions have enabled specific outcomes. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, with frequent use in news and media, academia, and scientific writing. When using the phrase, it is important to focus on clarity and avoid overuse in passive constructions. Alternatives like ""enabled it to happen"" or ""facilitated its occurrence"" can provide nuanced variations in meaning and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enabled it to happen

Replaces "made" with "enabled" and rephrases "possible" with "to happen", focusing on enablement.

facilitated its occurrence

Uses more formal vocabulary like "facilitated" and "occurrence", indicating a more formal tone.

paved the way for it

Employs a metaphorical expression suggesting preparation or clearance for something to occur.

allowed it to be done

Focuses on permission or allowance, rather than direct causation.

created the opportunity for

Highlights the creation of a chance or opening.

brought about the conditions for

Emphasizes the establishment of necessary conditions.

opened the door for it

A metaphorical expression indicating the start of a new opportunity or possibility.

set the stage for

Implies preparation and arrangement for a subsequent event or action.

rendered it feasible

Uses a more technical term, "feasible", to express the achievement of viability.

contributed to the realization of

Highlights the contribution towards making something real or actual.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "made it possible" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "facilitated its occurrence" or "brought about the conditions for". These options often suit academic or professional writing.

What's a simple alternative to "made it possible"?

Simpler alternatives include "allowed it to happen" or "enabled it to happen". These are suitable for everyday conversation and less formal writing.

Is it correct to say "made possible" without the "it"?

While grammatically correct, saying just "made possible" often needs further context. For example, "The donation made possible the new library" is acceptable. However, "made it possible" usually provides a clearer sentence structure.

In what situations is "made it possible" most appropriate?

The phrase "made it possible" is best when describing how a specific action or event directly led to a particular outcome. It's used to highlight causation, as in, "The new technology made it possible to reduce production costs."