made to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a task or process that has been designed or altered in order to work in a specific way. For example: "The car had been made to work with electric fuel pumps, rather than petrol ones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The economics can be made to work.

The Economist

Not everything can be made to work.

The New York Times

They were made to work, though.

The Guardian - Sport

It can't be made to work.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both definitions can be made to work.

The Washington Post

Made to work hard by Clyne.

The Guardian - Sport

They are made to work harder than any Syrian houseworker.

The New York Times

Outlook forms can be made to work over the Internet.

Microsoft Outlook Programming Jumpstart for Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

He was beaten, denounced and made to work menial jobs.

The New York Times

As notes, they could be made to work in concert.

The New York Times

He said young prisoners especially would be made to work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made to work", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is performing the action and what is being acted upon. For instance, clarify who "made" something "work" and in what way.

Common error

Avoid using "made to work" without a clear subject. For example, instead of saying "It was made to work", specify "The system was made to work" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made to work" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically describing an action performed on a subject to ensure its functionality. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples show it used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

21%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made to work" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the action of modifying or adapting something to ensure its functionality. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used. Its prevalence in news, science, and general contexts underscores its versatility. While alternatives like ""adapted for functionality"" or ""configured for use"" exist, "made to work" remains a clear and effective way to communicate the effort involved in achieving a desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adapted for functionality

Focuses on the modifications made to achieve the desired function.

configured for use

Indicates a setup or arrangement done to enable usage.

engineered to function

Suggests a deliberate design process to ensure operability.

developed for application

Highlights the process of creating something intended for a specific purpose.

forced to function

Emphasizes coercion or necessity in achieving functionality.

put into service

Suggests an entry or commencement of active usage.

required to perform

Implies a set expectation or demand for execution.

rendered operational

Highlights the action of making something ready for operation.

brought into play

Focuses on the introduction or activation of a component or system.

compelled to operate

Highlights external pressure driving the operation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "made to work" in a sentence?

You can use "made to work" to describe a situation where something was modified or adapted to function correctly. For example, "The old engine was "adapted for functionality"." or "The software was "engineered to function" with the new hardware".

What are some alternatives to "made to work"?

Some alternatives include "forced to function", "adapted for functionality", or "configured for use", depending on the specific context.

Is "made to work" grammatically correct?

Yes, "made to work" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something has been modified or adapted to function as intended. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

What's the difference between "made to work" and "required to perform"?

"Made to work" implies modification or adaptation, while "required to perform" suggests a demand or expectation for a specific action or outcome. The former focuses on the process of enabling functionality, while the latter focuses on the action itself.