make indefinite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make indefinite" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to express the idea of rendering something unclear or unspecified. Example: "The instructions were designed to make indefinite the exact requirements." Alternative expressions include "render vague" and "create ambiguity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Now, Congress seems to be on the verge of passing a law that would make indefinite detention a permanent part of the American way.

The New York Times

This week, he is poised to sign into law terrible new measures that will make indefinite detention and military trials a permanent part of American law.

The New York Times

While the value of data is often recognised later on and grows over time there is less of an understanding who would pay for the long-term preservation since few institutions can make indefinite commitments.

Harvard University

Ms. Feinstein said the departmentmight be removing the prosecutors to take advantage of a little-noticed provision in the 2006 reauthorization of the USA Patriot Act that expanded its authority to make indefinite interim appointments.

The New York Times

Getting paid eventually is fine, except, like a business, a person or family can't make indefinite promises that one day their ship will come in.

Forbes

The moral was supposed to be that these "wide" readings are not the reflex of wide scope quantification (that would be to make indefinite descriptions syntactically special), but rather due to the fact that the indefinites in these examples are referring expressions.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was a victory of Gilded Age capitalism (enforced perhaps by the railroads, which made indefinite isolation an unrealistic goal) over Great Awakening spiritualism.

The New Yorker

Not satisfied, it later threatened to derail the talks unless the reprieve was made indefinite.Several other disputes received a similar papering over.

The Economist

The few other journalists who have actually been following this story closely agree with the activists, and the American Civil Liberties Union has also chimed in, saying that the amendment actually makes indefinite detention more likely.

The Guardian - Opinion

(The closing of Guantanamo would in some ways be symbolic; in 2011, Obama signed an executive order that made indefinite detention the law of the land).

Vice

(The closing of Guantanamo would in some ways be symbolic; in 2011, Obama signed an executive order that made indefinite detention the law of the land).

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make indefinite", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being made indefinite and why. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "make indefinite" excessively in formal writing where more precise language might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "generalize", "broaden", or "leave undefined" for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make indefinite" functions as a verb phrase, where "make" acts as a causative verb and "indefinite" serves as an adjective complement. Ludwig examples show its use in legal, political and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make indefinite" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of rendering something uncertain or lacking specific limits. As Ludwig AI explains, it's most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts. While grammatically correct, using more precise alternatives like ""render uncertain"" or ""generalize"" may be beneficial in formal writing. The phrase is less frequent in formal business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave undefined

Emphasizes a lack of definition or clarity, making the subject open to interpretation.

render uncertain

Focuses on creating a state of uncertainty rather than explicitly removing limits.

make limitless

Focuses on removing any sense of limit, extending to an unbounded scale.

generalize

Shifts the focus to making something more general, lacking specific details or boundaries.

remove restrictions

This phrase specifically targets the elimination of limitations, suggesting an unbounded nature.

broaden the scope

Emphasizes expanding the range or applicability without setting clear limits.

expand indefinitely

Stresses the continual growth or extension without a set endpoint.

remove limitations

Directly addresses the removal of restrictions, implying a lack of defined boundaries.

open up possibilities

Highlights the creation of new opportunities, often without specific parameters.

perpetuate

Focuses on the act of causing something to continue indefinitely, often used in a legal or formal context.

FAQs

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

You can use "make indefinite" to describe the action of rendering something unclear or unspecified. For example, "The new policy seemed to "leave undefined" the exact requirements for project approval".

What are some alternatives to "make indefinite"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "render uncertain", "generalize", or "broaden the scope".

Is it correct to say "make indefinite"?

Yes, "make indefinite" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase. Ludwig confirms its validity and usage in various contexts.

In what contexts is "make indefinite" most appropriate?

"Make indefinite" is suitable in contexts where you want to express the idea of removing specific limits or definitions, such as in discussions about policy, contracts, or theoretical concepts.