make more of

USAGE SUMMARY

"make more of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of doing more with something or making an effort to increase the importance of something. For example, "I want to make more of my time off from work and explore more outdoor activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I like to make more of it.

Cornell University

"They make more of an impact".

The New York Times - Style

"I could make more of a difference".

The New York Times - Sports

He ought to make more of them.

The Guardian

"Maybe make more of an effort".

The Guardian - Sport

Why didn't Labor make more of that?

The Guardian - Opinion

We should make more of it.

Harvard Business Review

(Thankfully, he tends to make more of them).

The New Yorker

Why not make more of those activities public?

The New Yorker

Rival firms should club together and make more of them.

The Guardian

"Makes you want to make more of them".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make more of" when you want to encourage someone to take better advantage of an opportunity or resource.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "make more of" in highly formal writing; consider stronger verbs like "optimize", "maximize", or "leverage" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

Make more of functions primarily as a phrasal verb used to encourage better utilization or appreciation of something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and widely used. Examples in Ludwig show it applied to resources, opportunities, and personal efforts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make more of" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that encourages better utilization or appreciation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While its register is generally neutral, it's essential to consider stronger alternatives like "optimize" or "leverage" in more formal settings. Remember to use it to motivate action and highlight untapped potential. Alternatives include "capitalize on" and "take advantage of", providing different nuances for similar intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capitalize on

Focuses on taking advantage of an opportunity or resource.

take advantage of

Implies using something for one's own benefit, often resourcefully.

maximize

Suggests optimizing the use of something to its fullest potential.

appreciate fully

Emphasizes valuing and recognizing the worth of something.

enhance

Indicates improving or augmenting something to a higher quality.

exploit fully

Implies using resources to their maximum extent, sometimes with a negative connotation.

develop further

Suggests expanding or elaborating on something already in progress.

build upon

Implies using an existing foundation to create something greater.

amplify

Focuses on increasing the impact or intensity of something.

leverage

Highlights using something strategically to achieve a desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "make more of" in a sentence?

You can use "make more of" to suggest improving or maximizing something. For instance, "We need to "make more of" our resources" or "I want to "make more of" my free time".

What are some alternatives to "make more of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "capitalize on", "take advantage of", or "maximize", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "make more of" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, using more formal alternatives like "optimize" or "leverage" may be more suitable for highly formal or professional contexts.

How does "make more of" differ from "take advantage of"?

"Make more of" generally implies resourceful use, while "take advantage of" can sometimes carry a connotation of exploiting or selfishly using something. Context is crucial in determining the best phrase to use.