make it a race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it a race" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to turning a situation or competition into a race or contest, often to encourage speed or urgency. Example: "Let's make it a race to see who can finish the project first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They wanted to make it a race to the bottom, Miliband says.

The Guardian

If someone is ready to run 10.6 or 10.5, let's make it a race".

The New York Times - Sports

Only in 1964 did intelligence agents detect signs that there was indeed someone to make it a race.

The New York Times - Science

"[People are] trying to make it a race thing but it's just right and wrong … one officer just kind of went rogue," he said.

The Guardian

One is Minnesota's Sixth, in the Minneapolis suburbs, where the Democratic incumbent, Bill Luther, sat on a big war chest long enough to let his Republican challenger, John Kline, make it a race.

The New York Times

But we didn't make it a race issue.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Stripe's second CTF featured a leaderboard and a pre-announced start time, making it a race to the finish.

TechCrunch

Neither company is anywhere close to challenging Apple's market cap, making it a race for silver for now.

TechCrunch

"Our goal in the commercial positioning of the race is to make it a universal race: To have an amount of basic level of accommodation with a moderate price for the tickets," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

A large part of my race was not trying to make it a national race.

Huffington Post

That's going to make it a great race.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "make it a race" when you want to inject excitement or urgency into a task, turning it into a game or competition to boost engagement and motivation.

Common error

Avoid using "make it a race" in situations where collaboration and careful planning are more important than speed. Overemphasis on speed can lead to errors and oversights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it a race" functions as an imperative expression, urging someone to transform an activity or situation into a competition driven by speed. Ludwig shows this is used across diverse contexts from news to daily life.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

7%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "make it a race" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to suggest turning a task or activity into a competition, primarily to increase speed and engagement. Ludwig's analysis confirms that while the phrase is correct, context is important; it's best suited for situations where speed is valued, and accuracy isn't compromised. Alternatives like "turn it into a competition" or "set it as a contest" can be used for different nuances. Understanding the appropriate context and potential pitfalls ensures effective communication. It is often used to inject enthusiasm and a sense of urgency, promoting engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn it into a competition

Focuses on general competitive aspect rather than specific speed/urgency.

set it as a contest

Similar to competition, but emphasizes skill or judgment.

make it competitive

Highlights enhancing competitiveness rather than immediate race.

challenge someone to a speed test

Emphasizes speed comparison in a specific task.

spur a speed competition

Focuses on initiating a competition based on speed.

instigate a quick challenge

Implies a short and fast-paced test of abilities.

organize a sprint event

Related to organizing an event with a focus on speed.

make it a timed trial

Shifts focus to completing a task within a specific time frame.

establish a speed challenge

Involves setting up a challenge with speed as the main element.

initiate a dash

Suggests beginning a quick and energetic movement or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "make it a race" in a sentence?

You can use "make it a race" to suggest turning a task into a competition to increase speed or engagement. For example, "Let's make it a race to see who can finish their chores first".

What does "make it a race" mean?

"Make it a race" implies turning an activity or task into a competition with the primary goal of speed and efficiency. It's about adding an element of urgency or excitement.

What can I say instead of "make it a race"?

You can use alternatives like "turn it into a competition", "set it as a contest", or "challenge someone to a speed test", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "make it a race"?

It is appropriate to use "make it a race" when you want to add an element of fun or urgency to a task, motivating people to complete it more quickly. It's most suitable for tasks where speed is beneficial and accuracy is not compromised.