make do with

USAGE SUMMARY

'make do with' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you have to use something that is not ideal, but it is the best you have available. Example sentence: Since I didn't have enough flour for my recipe, I had to make do with the small amount that I had.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, they must make do with history.

The Economist

Surely they could make do with sevruga.

The New York Times

Men generally make do with pockets.

The New York Times - Arts

I make do with deep breathing.

The Guardian - Travel

I make do with sport.

The Guardian - Opinion

They'll make do with what they've got.

The New York Times

"We'll have to make do with this".

The New Yorker

"You make do with what you can".

The New York Times

"We make do with what we've got.

The Guardian - Sport

She's trying to make do with $58.

The New York Times

They want to make do with less.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make do with" when you want to express resourcefulness and adaptability in the face of limitations. It's suitable for describing how people or organizations manage with less than ideal resources.

Common error

Avoid using "make do with" when you actually have better options available. The phrase implies a degree of compromise and is most effective when resources are genuinely scarce.

How to use

Learn how to use "make do with" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make do with" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies managing or coping with something less than ideal due to limitations. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, from personal situations to broader organizational challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make do with" is a common and correct idiomatic verb phrase used to describe managing or coping with something that is less than ideal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. The phrase appears frequently in news, business, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral register. When writing, remember that using "make do with" highlights resourcefulness and adaptation. Consider alternatives like "manage with" or "cope with" for subtle shifts in meaning. Be mindful of the connotation – it's best suited for situations where resources are genuinely limited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage with

Focuses on the act of successfully handling a situation with limited resources.

cope with

Emphasizes the ability to deal with difficulties or challenges presented by limited resources.

get by with

Suggests managing to survive or subsist on minimal resources.

scrape by with

Highlights the struggle and difficulty involved in surviving on very little.

make the best of

Implies a positive attitude and effort to find value in a less-than-ideal situation.

make shift with

Involves using temporary or improvised solutions due to lack of proper resources.

improvise with

Highlights the creative and inventive aspect of using whatever is available.

use what one has

A straightforward expression of utilizing existing resources.

stretch resources

Focuses on extending the use of available resources to meet needs.

content oneself with

Emphasizes accepting a less desirable option with a sense of satisfaction or resignation.

FAQs

How can I use "make do with" in a sentence?

You can use "make do with" to express how someone is managing a situation using limited resources. For example: "Since we didn't have enough ingredients, we had to make do with what we had."

What does it mean to "make do with" something?

To "make do with" something means to manage or cope with something that is not ideal, usually due to a lack of better alternatives. It implies resourcefulness and adaptation.

Which is a better choice, "make do with" or "do without"?

"Make do with" suggests using something less than ideal, while "do without" implies completely forgoing something. The choice depends on whether you're adapting or abstaining.

What are some alternatives to "make do with" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "manage with", "cope with", or "get by with".