made its approach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made its approach" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of coming closer or nearing a destination, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "As the spaceship made its approach to the planet, the crew prepared for landing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Now that Thirst has made its approach work on Twitter, Verma says, "Technology-wise, it won't be too hard for us to move on" to other types of content — though it sounds like there aren't any concrete plans.

TechCrunch

Earlier, as the Discovery made its approach, Cmdr.

The New York Times

Whirpool is understood to have made its approach in the past few days.

The Guardian - Business

Rio has so far resisted the all-share offer, valued at $140 billion when BHP first made its approach in November.

The Economist

Comcast's final offer — more than double Sky's share price before Fox made its approach in December 2016 — quickly won the backing of Sky's independent directors on Saturday.

The Washington Post

As the plane made its approach to San Juan, the landscape was colored with patches of blue, like the swimming pools you see from the sky in California.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Another option, pushed by those looking for a more direct confrontation with Mr. Maduro, would have activists encircle an aid truck in Colombia as it slowly makes its approach to Venezuela.

The New York Times

On Monday, HTT said that it has licensed technology that makes its approach safer and cheaper than existing high speed train technology.

Forbes

ReDigi took some pains to make its approach as friendly to the music companies as possible.

The New York Times - Tech

On Saturday 5 February, British Midland flight 891 makes its approach to Moscow's Domodedovo international airport.

The Guardian

The foundation said it opposed the offer because América Móvil had not informed KPN about its plans before making its approach.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made its approach" when you want to convey a sense of deliberate movement or initiation, especially in formal or descriptive contexts. For instance, "The company made its approach to the competitor with a carefully crafted proposal."

Common error

Avoid using "made its approach" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "came closer" or "neared" are often more appropriate for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made its approach" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of something or someone moving closer or beginning a process to connect with something else, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made its approach" is a grammatically sound verb phrase that describes the act of something nearing or initiating contact, as Ludwig AI confirms. While more formal than simpler alternatives like "came closer", it is appropriate for formal writing and descriptive contexts. Common in news and media, this phrase suggests a deliberate action towards a goal. Remember to consider the register and context to avoid overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neared its destination

This alternative replaces the active "made its approach" with a passive construction, emphasizing the destination rather than the agent.

drew closer

This option simplifies the phrase, focusing on the act of getting nearer without specifying a particular method or target.

commenced its advance

This phrase emphasizes the start of a forward movement, suggesting a planned or deliberate progression.

initiated its contact

This shifts the focus to the beginning of an interaction or connection, often used in a business or diplomatic setting.

began its pursuit

This alternative highlights the act of following or chasing, implying a goal or target is being actively sought.

started its process

Replaces the directional element with an emphasis on the beginning of a procedure or series of actions.

undertook its endeavor

This phrase replaces the simple action of approaching with the start of a more significant or challenging undertaking.

presented its overture

This option suggests the initial offering or proposal in negotiations or relationships.

unveiled its strategy

This replacement suggests the start of implementation for a planned strategy or method.

inaugurated its effort

This phrase emphasizes a formal or significant beginning of an attempt or exertion.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "made its approach"?

You can use alternatives like "drew closer", "neared its destination", or "commenced its advance" depending on the context.

Is "made its approach" formal or informal?

The phrase "made its approach" is generally considered more formal. Simpler options are better suited to casual conversation. In professional or academic writing it depends on the desired effect. The best way to decide is to consider how other authors in the field are writing.

How to use "made its approach" in a sentence?

Use "made its approach" to describe a deliberate act of nearing something or someone. For example, "The negotiator made its approach to the table with a prepared statement". Always ensure that the subject performing the approach is clearly defined.

What's the difference between "made its approach" and "came closer"?

"Made its approach" suggests a more deliberate and potentially strategic movement, while "came closer" is a simpler, more general way to describe moving nearer. The formality is higher for "made its approach".