make known

USAGE SUMMARY

"make known" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean to reveal or show something. For example: "The mayor made it known that the park was going to be closed for renovations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We gather here today to make known our grievance.

The New York Times - Magazine

It will lay bare our personalities and make known our character, or lack thereof.

The New York Times

It will make known its concerns, and if we need to act on them, we will.

The Guardian

It attempts to make known to the lay public the functions of a State Supreme Court justice.

The New Yorker

"The campaign will certainly make known its comments on this case at the conclusion of The FA's investigation.

Independent

■ Make known your aim to drink less - the more people you tell, the more support you should receive.

The Guardian

When he has intervened to make known his wishes, his influence is such that it is taken as an order.

The Economist

Writing from his jail cell, Preston sought to make known his version of the event with the "Case of Capt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I love sticking up for my teammates, and I love to make known that I'll be there for them".

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, drivers passing through are not consulted, nor do residents who see a bigger picture make known their preferences.

The New York Times

The presiding officers will make known their decision on wider access to records of the commission in due course".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make known" when you want to emphasize the act of formally or publicly revealing information. It often carries a slightly more formal tone than simply "saying" or "telling".

Common error

Avoid using "make known" in very casual conversations. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "tell", "say", or "let someone know" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make known" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as a transitive verb that requires an object. It's used to describe the action of publicizing or revealing information. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make known" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase to indicate the act of revealing or announcing information. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a valid and useful expression in English. While common in various contexts, it's most frequently found in news and media. When writing, be aware of its slightly formal tone and consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. Remember that "make known" generally conveys a broader announcement compared to simply "informing" someone. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and appropriateness in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reveal

Emphasizes the disclosure of something previously hidden.

disclose

Suggests uncovering private or confidential information.

announce

Focuses on the act of formally declaring something.

divulge

Implies revealing something secret or sensitive.

declare

Indicates a formal and explicit statement.

publicize

Stresses the act of making something widely known to the public.

report

Suggests providing an account of something.

communicate

Highlights the general act of conveying information.

broadcast

Implies disseminating information widely, often through media.

impart

Focuses on conveying knowledge or information.

FAQs

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

You can use "make known" to indicate that something is being formally announced or revealed, as in "The company will "make known" its decision tomorrow".

What can I say instead of "make known"?

Alternatives to "make known" include "announce", "reveal", or "disclose", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "make known" or "made known"?

"Made known" is the past participle form, used in sentences like "The results were "made known" yesterday". "Make known" is the infinitive form, used with auxiliary verbs like "will" or "should".

What's the difference between "make known" and "inform"?

"Inform" typically implies a direct communication to a specific person or group, while "make known" suggests a broader, often public, announcement. For example, you inform a colleague, but you "make known" a policy change to the entire company.