make itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'make itself' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something is done without any help or assistance from another: The engine managed to make itself start after several attempts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If only the Replicator could make itself.

The New York Times

The continent had to make itself anew.

The Guardian - Music

Can the theatre make itself indispensable?

The Guardian

There, perhaps, her next direction would make itself known.

The New York Times

However, dark matter does make itself known through its gravity.

The Economist

"Sadly, the din of weapons continues to make itself heard.

The New York Times

Any growth will take a while to make itself felt.

The Economist

It's a big bet that refuses to make itself favourite.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A great selfie doesn't make itself; cool hair certainly helps.

The New York Times

It failed to make itself clear, simple and accountable.

The Guardian

Twitter is doing everything to make itself easier to use.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make itself" to describe situations where an entity acts independently to achieve a certain state or outcome. For example, "The company needs to make itself more competitive in the global market."

Common error

Avoid using "make itself" in passive voice constructions. For example, instead of saying "The problem was made itself obvious", use "The problem made itself obvious".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make itself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is both the actor and the recipient of the action. Ludwig's AI analysis indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The verb "make" describes the action of causing something to be in a particular state, and "itself" reflects back on the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make itself" is a versatile reflexive construct indicating self-driven action or change. Grammatically sound and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig's AI, it effectively conveys the idea of an entity acting independently to achieve a specific state. Its prevalence in diverse contexts like news, science, and business underscores its broad applicability, although its register leans towards professional. When using "make itself", ensure the subject is truly the agent of change, avoiding passive voice constructions. Related phrases such as "transform itself" and "strengthen itself" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transform itself

Focuses on a complete change in form or appearance rather than simply becoming.

strengthen itself

Implies an increase in power, resilience, or capability, not just a general act of becoming.

sensitize itself

Highlights the act of becoming more aware or responsive, rather than a general action.

communicate itself

Emphasizes the act of conveying information, differing from merely existing or becoming.

disseminate itself

Suggests spreading or dispersing, unlike simply becoming or acting on its own.

achieve itself

Focuses on accomplishing a goal or realizing a potential, not merely existing or self-action.

implement itself

Highlights the act of putting something into effect without external assistance.

articulate itself

Focuses on expressing something clearly and distinctly, not just a general becoming.

pronounce itself

Implies a formal declaration or announcement, not simply becoming.

deploy itself

Focuses on strategically positioning itself, unlike the broader sense of self-action.

FAQs

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

Use "make itself" to describe something that independently becomes a certain way, such as "The company needs to "strengthen itself" to survive the competition".

What's a good alternative to "make itself"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "transform itself", "become", or "turn into" instead of "make itself".

Is it correct to say 'made itself'?

Yes, 'made itself' is the past tense form of "make itself" and is grammatically correct. For example, "The issue made itself clear during the presentation".

What's the difference between "make itself" and "lend itself"?

"Make itself" implies a direct action or change initiated by the subject, whereas "lend itself" suggests a suitability or adaptability to something. They are not interchangeable.