make it compulsory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it compulsory" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to make something mandatory or required. Example: The government has decided to make it compulsory for all citizens to wear masks in public places to prevent the spread of the virus.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Britain, Warwick University is proposing to make it compulsory for its students to have a laptop computer from 2003; almost all of them will have Internet links.

The Economist

"But if you make it compulsory then everyone is involved.

The Guardian

Make it compulsory to publicly disclose all TUEs," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"The question is do you make it compulsory to move?

The Guardian

She has the chance to not only legalise gay marriage, but make it compulsory.

The Guardian - Opinion

But no government would make it compulsory to wear skirts on a bike.

The Guardian - Opinion

Employers also could make it compulsory for their employees to wear surgical masks.

The New York Times

Gove said the government may make it compulsory to study foreign languages up to GCSE.

The Guardian

"You lose the benefit if you make it compulsory," Gregg said.

The Guardian - Business

Until you make it compulsory, we will be talking about this in another 10 years' time.

The Guardian - Sport

These laws make it compulsory for government agencies to notify the privacy commissioner of certain types of data breaches.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make it compulsory", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being compelled and the specific action or item involved. For example, "The school will make it compulsory for all students to wear uniforms."

Common error

Avoid using "make it compulsory" without specifying the object or action being made compulsory. A sentence like "They made it compulsory" is unclear; clarify by stating, for example, "They made wearing helmets compulsory."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it compulsory" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a requirement or obligation. It's used to express that something must be done or adhered to, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples showcasing its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make it compulsory" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something is required or mandatory. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and finds common application in news reporting, formal business correspondence, and academic discourse. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to specify what is being made compulsory to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "mandate it" or "require it" depending on the context. The phrase's high frequency and consistent usage across diverse sources reinforce its validity and broad applicability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make it mandatory

A close synonym, emphasizing the obligatory nature.

mandate it

Directly implies a formal order or command.

require it

A more general term for needing something to be done or possessed.

stipulate it

Suggests specifying a condition in an agreement or rule.

legally oblige it

Highlights the legal aspect of the requirement.

enforce it

Focuses on the act of compelling obedience to a rule.

decree it

Implies an authoritative order, often from a ruler or government.

prescribe it

Suggests setting down a rule or course of action.

insist upon it

Emphasizes the firmness and determination in requiring something.

lay down as a requirement

More verbose way of saying require, often for setting rules.

FAQs

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

Use "make it compulsory" to indicate that something is required or mandatory. For example, "The new law will make it compulsory for all dog owners to register their pets".

What is a synonym for "make it compulsory"?

Alternatives to "make it compulsory" include "make it mandatory", "require it", or "mandate it".

Is it formal to say "make it compulsory"?

The phrase "make it compulsory" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "legally oblige it" may be preferred in legal or official documents.

What is the difference between "make it compulsory" and "make it optional"?

"Make it compulsory" means to require something, while "make it optional" means to allow choice. They are antonyms; one enforces a requirement, and the other permits a choice. You can find more context about other possibilities on "make it optional".