make a sensation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a sensation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that causes a strong reaction or excitement among people, often in a positive way. Example: "The new movie is set to make a sensation at the box office, drawing in crowds from all over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

McCarthy responded, "It occurs to me that a desire to make a sensation has taken precedence in New York over everything else.

The New Yorker

Because we have such low expectations, Mr. Rashid was able to make a sensation with "Totally Rad," a 2009 exhibition of avant-garde radiators he curated at the Museum of Arts and Design in Manhattan.

The New York Times

Watts somewhat underplays recently discovered evidence of Ford's collaboration — through a German subsidiary — with the Nazi regime, preferring to concentrate on the man who embodied the maxim "To make a sensation, be one".

The New Yorker

What is certain is that each new adaptation is a further fulfilment of the great hope of Pierre Ambroise François Choderlos de Laclos, a hope that is shared by all writers of true ambition as they wager their talent against both death's certainty and forgetting: that his book will "make a sensation and echo over the world after I have left it".

The Guardian

'I resolved to write a book that would be quite outside the ordinary trend, which would make a sensation and echo over the world after I left it," Pierre Ambroise François Choderlos de Laclos wrote of his first and only novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Prickly, honest (for its day), and amusing, it made a sensation.

The New Yorker

On the morning after the Silverstone race, headlines in Britain's newspapers made a sensation of what had happened.

The New York Times

The look and the jazzy title made a sensation, but few realised what Tennessee Williams' story was really about.

The Guardian - Film

The publication, in 1843, of this novelistic bundle of discourses, subtitled "A Fragment of Life" and pseudonymously signed "Victor Eremita," made a sensation in Copenhagen.

The New Yorker

"It helped that Decca had just made a sensation with Georg Solti's first complete recording of 'The Ring' and its 36 anvils.

The New York Times - Arts

In 1913 Comstock made a sensation of a painting of a nude woman called "September Morn" when he ordered it out of a West 46th Street gallery window.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a sensation" to describe events, performances, or creations that are poised to capture widespread attention and admiration. Tailor the phrase to contexts where the impact is significant and generally positive.

Common error

Avoid using "make a sensation" for minor or fleeting moments of attention. Reserve it for situations where the impact is substantial and lasting to maintain credibility and avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a sensation" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of creating a strong and widespread reaction or excitement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating that it's grammatically sound and appropriate for diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a sensation" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that effectively conveys the act of creating widespread excitement or strong positive reaction. Ludwig confirms its validity. While relatively uncommon, its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context warrants the level of impact it suggests, avoiding overuse in trivial scenarios. Related alternatives include "cause a stir" or "create a buzz", offering nuanced options depending on the desired emphasis. The phrase carries a neutral tone and its use is appropriate across various communicative settings as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause a stir

Emphasizes the act of creating disturbance or excitement, often less focused on a positive outcome.

create a buzz

Focuses on generating discussion and excitement, often in a more informal or trending context.

generate excitement

Highlights the creation of enthusiasm and eagerness.

become a phenomenon

Indicates widespread popularity and influence, often beyond just creating excitement.

take the world by storm

Suggests a sudden and overwhelming impact on a global scale.

achieve notoriety

Implies gaining fame, but may not necessarily be positive.

grab attention

Focuses on attracting notice, without necessarily creating excitement or positive sentiment.

become the talk of the town

Highlights that something is widely discussed in a specific locality.

cause a splash

Suggests an initial, noticeable impact, but not necessarily long-lasting.

set the trend

Focuses on establishing a new popular style or behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "make a sensation" in a sentence?

You can use "make a sensation" to describe something that creates widespread excitement or interest. For example, "The artist's new exhibit is expected to "make a sensation" at the gallery opening".

What can I say instead of "make a sensation"?

You can use alternatives like "cause a stir", "create a buzz", or "generate excitement" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "did a sensation" instead of "made a sensation"?

While "did a sensation" might be understood, "made a sensation" is the idiomatic and grammatically correct form. Using "made" emphasizes the act of creating a strong impact.

What is the difference between "make a sensation" and "become a phenomenon"?

"Make a sensation" typically describes an immediate and impactful reaction, while "become a phenomenon" suggests a more prolonged and widespread influence. A sensation can lead to something becoming a phenomenon over time.