make a joke about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a joke about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of creating humor or a comedic remark regarding a specific subject or topic. Example: "During the meeting, he decided to make a joke about the recent budget cuts to lighten the mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You could make a joke about September 11 before you could make a joke about abortion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cable make a joke about a "love in".

The Guardian

We'll make a joke about the gig being charity funded".

The Guardian

We won't make a joke about where to locate the cheese.

The New York Times - Arts

He can make a joke about math sound like an old-school rapper's curse.

The New York Times - Arts

DUKE I won't even be able to make a joke about this one.

The New York Times

And no one would have dared even suggest that she make a joke about ejaculation.

Independent

Jon Huntsman also tried to make a joke about gas, but we are not going there.

The New York Times

While making a speech, Schafer used a sock to make a joke about the movement.

Independent

(Gawker managed to make a joke about its own ties to the Caymans).

The New Yorker

"It was the first time I could make a joke about Marc Anthony at the same time that I could make a joke about 'The ThunderCats,' or some other American bullshit we grew up with.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a joke about", be mindful of your audience and the context to avoid causing offense. Humor is subjective, and topics that are acceptable in one setting might be inappropriate in another.

Common error

Avoid using "make a joke about" for topics that are highly sensitive or potentially harmful, such as trauma, personal tragedies, or discriminatory subjects. It's important to be considerate and avoid causing pain or offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a joke about" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of creating or telling a joke related to a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a joke about" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of creating or telling a joke on a particular topic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While it appears frequently across diverse contexts, including news, media, and informal conversation, it's essential to exercise sensitivity when using it, especially concerning potentially offensive or harmful topics. Alternatives such as "crack a joke regarding" or "poke fun at" can offer nuanced options depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crack a joke regarding

Substitutes "make" with "crack" and "about" with "regarding", offering a slightly more formal tone.

tell a joke concerning

Replaces "make" with "tell" and "about" with "concerning", resulting in a more formal and less common alternative.

joke around regarding

Uses "joke around" instead of "make a joke", suggesting a more casual and playful approach.

make light of

Emphasizes the act of minimizing the seriousness of something through humor.

poke fun at

Suggests a slightly teasing or mocking type of humor.

satirize

Implies a more critical and often political form of humor.

jest about

Replaces "make a joke" with "jest", which sounds more archaic and literary.

quip about

Implies a witty and quick remark rather than a full joke.

kid about

Suggests a friendly and teasing manner of joking.

banter about

Implies light and playful conversation, often involving humorous remarks.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "make a joke about" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "crack a joke regarding" or "tell a joke concerning". These options replace more common words with slightly more elevated vocabulary.

What is a less formal way to say "make a joke about"?

If you're looking for a more casual alternative, try "poke fun at" or "kid about". These phrases suggest a lighter, more playful approach to humor.

When is it appropriate to "make a joke about" something?

It's generally appropriate to "make a joke about" something when the context is lighthearted, and the subject matter isn't overly sensitive. Always consider your audience and the potential for causing offense.

Is there a difference between "make a joke about" and "make light of"?

"Make a joke about" simply means to create humor regarding a topic. "Make light of", however, suggests minimizing the seriousness of something through humor, which can sometimes be seen as insensitive depending on the context.