make better sense

USAGE SUMMARY

"make better sense" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the idea that something should be explained more clearly or logically. For example, "This argument doesn't make better sense—can you explain it again?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Shorter-term mortgages with lower rates and payments make better sense for both banks and borrowers.

The New York Times

They have no value when it comes to helping us make better sense of ourselves.

The New York Times

DeepMind's advance could lead to machines that can make better sense of a scene.

MIT Technology Review

"Use" here meant morally helpful, a way of imagining other lives in order to make better sense of our own.

The Guardian - Books

A novel interface was developed for handling the heterogeneous bundle of documents which make up the social care record, helping social workers make better sense of case-files.

Applied Ergonomics

British aircrafts joining the action over Syria as part of that wider coalition, might make better sense than it does now.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The second makes better sense.

The New York Times - Arts

Because they all made sense individually, they made better sense as a unified theory.

University of California, Berkeley

They plausibly argue that it makes better sense theoretically and empirically.

The Economist

Hodgson had taken off Rooney when it surely made better sense to remove a defender.

The Guardian - Sport

To me, Miliband's speech makes better sense within the frame provided by Sainsbury's book.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make better sense", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being clarified. For example, specify the topic or situation that requires better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "make better sense" without specifying what lacks clarity. For example, instead of saying "This needs to make better sense", specify "This explanation needs to make better sense to new users."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make better sense" functions primarily as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to express the idea that something needs clarification or to be more easily understood. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

33%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make better sense" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express the need for improved clarity or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It functions as a verb phrase with a neutral register, suitable for various contexts, but most frequently appearing in News & Media and Science publications. When employing this phrase, ensure you specify what needs clarification to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "clarify further" or "improve comprehension" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify further

Implies the action of removing confusion or ambiguity.

improve comprehension

Centers on the enhancement of the ability to understand.

become more understandable

Highlights the quality of being easily understood.

foster better understanding

Emphasizes the active promotion of understanding.

provide greater clarity

Focuses on supplying the necessary information for understanding.

gain a clearer understanding

Emphasizes the act of acquiring understanding with more clarity.

offer a clearer perspective

Suggests a refined viewpoint that enhances comprehension.

become clearer

Focuses on the result of understanding, rather than the process of making something understandable.

shed more light on

Uses a metaphor to suggest making something easier to understand.

elucidate further

Implies a more formal and thorough explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "make better sense" in a sentence?

You can use "make better sense" to indicate that something needs to be clearer or more understandable. For example, "The instructions need to "be rewritten to" make better sense to new users."

What's a more formal way to say "make better sense"?

In a more formal context, you might use phrases like "clarify further" or "provide greater clarity" instead of "make better sense".

What can I say instead of "make better sense"?

Alternatives include "become clearer", "improve comprehension", or "gain a clearer understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what needs to "make better sense"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what needs clarification often improves clarity and avoids vagueness. For instance, instead of just saying "It needs to make better sense", specify "The policy needs to "make better sense to employees"".