made its way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made its way" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe the process of a person or thing travelling from one place to another. For example, "When the storm settled, the boat made its way back to shore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It made its way inwards as well as outwards.

The New Yorker

From there it made its way into mainstream society".

Independent

It even made its way into confectionery.

The Guardian - Books

It eventually made its way to midfielder Elise Bussaglia.

The New York Times - Sports

It somehow made its way to the screen.

The New York Times

Much of it has made its way into his art.

The New York Times - Arts

Since then it's made its way onto most Motorola smartphones.

TechCrunch

It's made its way into the service.

Huffington Post

It has now made its way to SBS VICELAND.

Vice

"Achilles" made its way to the Louvre.

The New York Times - Arts

The case made its way to the headquarters of Maj.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made its way" to describe the gradual movement or progression of something, especially when emphasizing the journey or process involved.

Common error

While "made its way" is versatile, sometimes a simpler verb like "went", "traveled", or "reached" can make your writing more concise and impactful. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made its way" functions as a phrasal verb indicating movement, progression, or transmission. As Ludwig AI confirms, the structure and use of this phrase follow standard English grammar rules. The examples showcase its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made its way" is a versatile and frequently used phrasal verb that effectively conveys the movement or progression of something from one place or state to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and applicability across various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and general conversation, make it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary. While alternatives exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to impart. Remember to avoid overuse and consider simpler verbs for greater impact when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

found its path

Focuses on the trajectory or route taken.

progressed towards

Emphasizes the forward movement and direction.

advanced to

Highlights the achievement of reaching a certain point.

worked its way

Suggests effort or a process involved in the movement.

navigated to

Implies skillful maneuvering to reach a destination.

journeyed to

Emphasizes the travel aspect of the movement.

filtered through

Describes a gradual process of passing through something.

percolated into

Suggests a slow and spreading movement.

achieved entry

Focuses on gaining access or acceptance.

transferred into

Highlights the act of moving something from one place to another.

FAQs

How can I use "made its way" in a sentence?

You can use "made its way" to describe how something moved or progressed from one place or state to another. For example, "The rumor "made its way" through the office quickly" or "The river "made its way" to the sea".

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

Alternatives include "progressed to", "advanced to", "found its path", or "worked its way", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "make its way" instead of "made its way"?

No, "make its way" is the present tense form, while ""made its way"" is the past tense. Use ""made its way"" when describing something that already happened.

What's the difference between "made its way" and "find its way"?

"Made its way" describes a completed action of moving or progressing, whereas "find its way" suggests an ongoing or future action of navigating towards a destination.