make complete sense

USAGE SUMMARY

"make complete sense" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could say "The directions you provided made complete sense to me". In this context, it means that the instructions or directions were clear and understandable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The reforms being discussed make complete sense.

The Washington Post

In the car, voice commands make complete sense.

The New York Times

Nothing would make complete sense without that being told first".

The New York Times - Books

Nordstrom's digital capabilities make complete sense for Nordstrom.

Harvard Business Review

Of course, this might make complete sense in the lyrics.

The Guardian - Music

Unfortunately, Pearson's excessive use of video becomes problematically distracting and doesn't make complete sense either.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Community Clothing makes complete sense.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That makes complete sense".

The New York Times - Sports

It "made complete sense," Simpson said.

The Washington Post

A third said he made "complete sense".

The Guardian

"It makes complete sense," Conway replied.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make complete sense" when you want to emphasize that something is not just understandable, but also logical and coherent in all its aspects.

Common error

While "make complete sense" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing may reduce its impact. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "is entirely reasonable" or "demonstrates perfect coherence" to vary your language and maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make complete sense" functions as a predicate, indicating that something is logical, understandable, and coherent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make complete sense" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey understanding and logical coherence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use in English writing. Analysis of the provided examples reveals its frequent presence in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts. While the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal communication, writers should consider more refined alternatives in highly formal settings to enhance style and impact. As Ludwig shows, its primary function is to validate ideas, arguments, or situations, underscoring comprehension and logical consistency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be perfectly logical

This alternative emphasizes the logical aspect more strongly.

be entirely reasonable

This alternative highlights the reasonableness of something.

be fully comprehensible

This alternative stresses the understanding aspect.

be perfectly understandable

Focuses on the ease of understanding.

add up perfectly

Implies that the elements combine logically.

hold water

This alternative is more informal, suggesting something is credible.

be coherent

This alternative focuses on the consistency and clarity of something.

stand to reason

Suggests something is logical and expected.

be self-explanatory

Emphasizes that something doesn't require much explanation.

click into place

This alternative implies things fitting together in an understandable way.

FAQs

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

You can use "make complete sense" to express that something is logical and understandable. For example, "His explanation of the theory "made complete sense" after the demonstration".

What are some alternatives to "make complete sense"?

You can use alternatives such as "be perfectly logical", "be entirely reasonable", or "be fully comprehensible" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "makes complete sense" or "make complete sense"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "makes complete sense" for singular subjects (e.g., "This explanation makes complete sense"). Use "make complete sense" for plural subjects or when using 'I', 'we', 'you', or 'they' (e.g., "These arguments make complete sense").

What's the difference between "make complete sense" and "make total sense"?

Both phrases are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "make complete sense" might imply a more thorough and comprehensive understanding, whereas "make total sense" can sometimes be used in a more general or informal way.