make an appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

"make an appearance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a person or thing's sudden or unexpected presence. For example, "The celebrity made an appearance at the fundraiser, much to the delight of the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Would Minaj make an appearance?

The New Yorker

Penguins also make an appearance.

The New York Times - Books

I'd make an appearance.

The New York Times - Style

The biggest names do make an appearance.

The New York Times - Books

Will Arnold make an appearance?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Previous Vargas Llosa characters make an appearance.

The Guardian - Books

Diana's ghost would make an appearance.

The Guardian

Santa Claus will also make an appearance.

The New York Times - Style

The Beatles make an appearance, too.

The New York Times - Style

And then Nordic death metal will make an appearance".

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Chris Rock makes an appearance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make an appearance" when you want to emphasize the act of attending an event, especially if the appearance is brief or notable. For example, "The guest of honor made an appearance, delighting everyone."

Common error

Avoid using "make an appearance" when simply indicating someone's routine presence. It's more suitable for special or unexpected situations, not everyday occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an appearance" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It signifies the act of showing up or being present at a particular event or location, often implying a brief or notable presence, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make an appearance" is a common and generally correct way to describe someone showing up at an event, particularly when their presence is notable or somewhat unexpected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its usage spans from neutral reporting to more casual conversation, fitting various settings without being overly formal or informal. Remember to use it when the act of attending itself carries some significance, and avoid it in scenarios depicting routine presence. Consider alternatives like "show up" or "turn up" for informal contexts, and "put in an appearance" for more formal ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put in an appearance

This is a more formal variation of the original phrase, emphasizing the act of being present.

show up

This alternative is more direct and informal, implying simply arriving at a place.

turn up

Similar to 'show up', but can also suggest an unexpected or surprise arrival.

attend briefly

This phrase specifies that the attendance is for a short duration.

be on hand

Implies being available or present at a location for a specific purpose.

be present

A simple and direct way to indicate someone's presence at an event.

arrive on the scene

This alternative suggests a more dramatic or significant arrival.

come along

Indicates joining an event or activity, often implying a casual or unplanned appearance.

grace with one's presence

This alternative is highly formal and often used humorously or ironically.

materialize

Suggests appearing suddenly or unexpectedly, almost as if from nowhere.

FAQs

How can I use "make an appearance" in a sentence?

You can use "make an appearance" to describe someone showing up at an event, often briefly or unexpectedly. For example, "The celebrity made an appearance at the local charity event".

What's a more formal way to say "make an appearance"?

A more formal alternative to "make an appearance" is to "put in an appearance", which emphasizes the act of being present, often briefly, at an event.

What are some informal alternatives to "make an appearance"?

Informal alternatives to "make an appearance" include "show up" or "turn up", which simply mean to arrive at a place.

Is it always appropriate to use "make an appearance"?

No, "make an appearance" is best used when the act of showing up is noteworthy or unexpected. It's less suitable for describing routine presence. Consider alternatives like "attend" or "be present" in those cases.