make it into

USAGE SUMMARY

'make it into' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most often used in the sense of "to bring or come to a successful conclusion or to arrive somewhere". For example, "She worked hard to make it into the school of her choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SOMEONE should make it into a videogame.

The Economist

"Nokia will make it into the three.

The New York Times

Why make it into a film then?

The New York Times

"You couldn't make it into a hotel.

The New York Times

Between fifteen and seventeen make it into the magazine.

The New Yorker

Could she really make it into college?

The New York Times

Make it into a flat field.

The New Yorker

"Make it into tea," she said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Very few even make it into Cannes".

The New York Times

We make it into other things sometimes.

The New York Times - Sports

Bedtime doesn't make it into family albums.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical transformation, ensure the object 'it' clearly refers back to a noun to avoid ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Be careful not to omit the word 'it' when you mean achievement. For example, 'I hope to make into college' is incorrect; you must say 'make it into college'. Conversely, 'make into' (without 'it') is strictly for physical conversion, like 'make wood into a chair'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it into" acts as a transitive phrasal verb construction where 'it' serves as a dummy object or a specific pronoun referring back to a subject undergoing change or movement. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and functions either as a verb of transformation (conversion) or a verb of achievement (successful entry).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academic

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make it into" is an essential and versatile phrase in English that bridges the gap between describing physical transformation and personal achievement. Whether you are discussing a recipe where you "make it into" a paste or a career milestone where you "make it into" the boardroom, the phrase denotes a successful transition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide adoption across elite publications like The New York Times and The Economist. When using it, remember that the 'it' is crucial for the meaning of reaching a goal; omitting it changes the phrase to a simple conversion of materials. For writers seeking more precision, alternatives like "transform it into" or "qualify for" can provide more specific nuances depending on the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn it into

Uses a more common verb for physical or conceptual transformation.

transform it into

Sounds more formal and implies a significant or complete change.

convert it into

Suggests a change in function, format or system.

get into

More informal and primarily focuses on physical or social entry.

gain entry to

Much more formal and bureaucratic phrasing for achievement.

reach

Focuses strictly on the act of arriving at a destination or milestone.

transition into

Focuses on the process and phase of shifting between states.

qualify for

Used specifically in the context of competitions, schools or legal status.

advance to

Implies a forward progression in a structured hierarchy or tournament.

repurpose it as

Emphasizes giving a new functional use to an existing object.

FAQs

What is the difference between "make it into" and "make it to"?

While both imply reaching a goal, "make it into" suggests entry into a specific enclosure, group or state (e.g. "make it into the room"), whereas "make it to" focuses on reaching a destination (e.g. "make it to London").

Can I use "turn it into" instead of "make it into"?

Yes, if you are talking about transformation. You can use "turn it into" when changing one thing into another, which is often interchangeable with "make it into" in creative contexts.

How do I use "make it into" in a sentence about success?

You can use it to describe reaching a difficult goal, such as "After years of practice, he finally managed to "get into" the national team" or "She worked hard to make it into medical school".

Is "make it into" considered formal English?

It is neutral and widely accepted in journalism and professional writing. If you need a more formal alternative for a report, consider using "transform it into" for changes or "reach" for accomplishments.