made their way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made their way" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of progressing or traveling towards a destination, often implying effort or determination. Example: "After a long day of hiking, they finally made their way to the summit of the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hitchens and Blue made their way outside.

The New Yorker

Instead, they made their way to Waziristan.

The New York Times

They later made their way to Sweden.

The New York Times

They made their way over the mountains.

The New York Times

Eventually they made their way to Guatemala.

The New York Times

Each eventually made their way home.

The New York Times

Eventually, the misconceptions made their way back to China.

The New Yorker

Hashtags have also made their way into the vernacular.

The New York Times

All these thoughts made their way into Mr. McCarthy's script.

The New York Times

Eventually, they made their way back to the party.

The New York Times

Ambulances made their way through the chaotic streets in minutes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made their way" to emphasize the effort or challenge involved in reaching a destination. This phrase is suitable when the journey is not straightforward or requires overcoming obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "made their way" when a simpler verb like "went" or "walked" would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made their way" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating movement or progression. As shown by Ludwig, it describes the act of moving towards a particular destination, often implying effort, difficulty, or a non-direct route.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made their way" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of moving towards a destination, often with an implication of effort or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's a useful phrase to add texture and depth to your writing, be mindful of overusing it in situations where simpler verbs might suffice. Understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts will enhance your writing precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceeded toward

Replaces "made their way" with a more direct term for advancing in a specific direction.

advanced to

Similar to "proceeded toward" but suggests a more strategic or deliberate movement.

progressed to

Highlights the advancement or development aspect of moving towards a destination.

headed towards

A more casual way of saying "moved in the direction of".

travelled to

Focuses on the act of traveling as the primary mode of movement.

journeyed to

Implies a longer or more significant trip than "travelled to".

arrived at

Focuses on the endpoint of the movement, emphasizing the arrival.

navigated to

Suggests the movement required skill or knowledge to overcome obstacles.

maneuvered to

Similar to "navigated to" but implies more physical effort or difficulty.

worked their way

Emphasizes effort and overcoming challenges during the process of moving.

FAQs

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

You can use "made their way" to describe how someone or something progressed towards a destination, often implying effort. For example, "After the storm, the villagers "made their way" back to their homes."

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

You can use alternatives like "proceeded toward", "headed towards", or "travelled to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "maked their way" instead of "made their way"?

No, "maked their way" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past tense form of "make" is "made", so the phrase should be ""made their way"".

What is the nuance between "made their way" and "went"?

"Went" is a general term for moving to a place. "Made their way" often suggests that the journey involved some difficulty, effort, or a less direct route than simply going.