make more work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make more work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action or situation that results in additional tasks or effort being required. Example: "If we change the project scope now, it will only make more work for the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Recently, I have also been encouraging myself to "make more work" because "life is short".

The New York Times

Leveson himself repeatedly insisted he did not want to make more work for lawyers.

The Guardian

"But this is my job, and more water will make more work".

The New York Times

Sadly, he knows, that may make more work for him as soon as the army leaves.

The New York Times

Thousands of cases could be reopened as a result of the ruling, which at the very least seems likely to make more work for the lawyers.

The New York Times

The lack of consensus contributed to his current market dominance by keeping his ideas in the air.Warhol's tendency to make more work than his collectors could possibly buy flew in the face of art-world etiquette.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But he got better and made more work.

The New York Times - Arts

That makes the build look better, but makes more work for the finishers — civil war.

The New York Times

It just makes more work for the government's style monitors.

The Guardian

"Selling well makes more work possible and at the moment that's important – the timing has worked out extremely well".

Independent

And sometimes they can make snap decisions that end up making more work for the regular force.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and tone when using "make more work". It can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying inefficiency or unnecessary burden. In more formal settings, alternatives like "generate additional tasks" or "increase the workload" may be more appropriate.

Common error

While "make more work" is acceptable, in professional communications it could imply a lack of efficiency. Opt for alternatives like "increase workload" or "generate further tasks" to maintain a more polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make more work" primarily functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe an action that results in additional tasks or effort. Ludwig shows that this phrase can modify decisions and actions, emphasizing their consequences. For example, "more water will make more work" indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make more work" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes the creation of additional tasks or effort, often with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and identifies its usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "increase the workload" may be preferable in professional settings. It is important to consider this implication, so you could use alternatives as "generate additional tasks" or "expand responsibilities".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generate additional tasks

Focuses on the creation aspect of new tasks, less about the burden.

create extra duties

Emphasizes the formal assignment of additional responsibilities.

increase the workload

Highlights the rise in the amount of work to be done.

add to the burden

Stresses the negative impact of extra tasks.

complicate matters

Focuses on making things more complex, indirectly leading to more effort.

expand responsibilities

Implies a formal increase in assigned roles.

give rise to more duties

Highlights that something gives origin to more work to be done.

lead to further effort

Focuses on that an initial thing lead to more effort

necessitate additional labor

Focuses on that more labour is needed because of a first event

bring about more labor

Focuses on the effect that more work is made

FAQs

What does it mean to "make more work"?

To "make more work" means to create additional tasks, effort, or complications as a result of a particular action or situation. It often implies that the extra work is unnecessary or burdensome.

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

You can use "make more work" in a sentence like this: "Changing the design at this stage will only "make more work" for the development team." or "Failing to properly back up your data can "make more work" down the line when you have to recreate lost files".

Are there more formal alternatives to "make more work"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include phrases like "increase the workload", "generate additional tasks", or "expand responsibilities". These options are better suited for professional or academic contexts.

Is it always negative to "make more work"?

While "make more work" often carries a negative connotation, it's not always the case. Sometimes, "making more work" might be necessary to achieve a better outcome or to address unforeseen issues. However, it's generally used when the extra work is perceived as avoidable or inefficient.