make some moves

USAGE SUMMARY

"make some moves" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to take action, make progress, or make decisions in a strategic manner. You can use this phrase in various contexts, such as: 1. In a business setting: - "We need to make some moves if we want to stay competitive in the market." - "Our company is struggling financially, we need to make some moves to turn things around." 2. In a personal context: - "I've been stuck in this job for too long, it's time for me to make some moves and find a new opportunity." - "She's been dating the same guy for years, it's about time she makes some moves in their relationship." 3. In a sports context: - "The team made some strategic moves during halftime and came back to win the game." - "It's the coach's responsibility to make some moves and improve the team's performance." Example: "After months of planning and preparation, it was finally time for me to make some moves and launch my own business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Make some moves: Take short breaks while studying.

Columbia University

"I need to make some moves," Mr. Moore said.

The New York Times

That's why we felt we had to make some moves".

The New York Times - Sports

"We've got to make some moves," the executive said.

The New York Times

They just want to make some moves and stop the clock.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they did make some moves when they saw instances where the economic problems were creeping up on us.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Miriam now wished Porter would make some move, any move, even in panic, to incite Rose into showing him the door.

The New Yorker

It might be in terms of a recommendation for a job; it might be in terms of helping that person to make some move in life.

Independent

Meanwhile, May has already made some moves into that territory.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Cooperstown show makes some moves in this direction.

The New York Times - Arts

He makes some moves to quell the flames.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make some moves" when you want to convey a sense of proactive decision-making, especially when facing a challenge or aiming for a specific goal. It suggests a need for deliberate and strategic actions rather than passive waiting.

Common error

While "make some moves" is widely understood, it might sound too informal in highly professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "take strategic steps" or "implement changes" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make some moves" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of actions or strategies. Ludwig indicates its usage in various contexts, from personal decisions to business strategies. It suggests a proactive approach to achieving a goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Science & Research

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make some moves" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe taking action or making strategic decisions. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence across diverse sources, including news media and academic contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "take action" or "implement changes". The frequency of the phrase indicates its widespread acceptance in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take action

Focuses more on the act of initiating something.

make progress

Emphasizes advancement toward a goal.

take steps

Suggests a deliberate series of actions.

implement changes

Highlights the introduction of new elements.

initiate plans

Focuses on the beginning phase of a strategy.

set things in motion

Indicates starting a process.

get the ball rolling

An idiomatic expression for starting something.

put plans into action

Emphasizes transitioning from planning to doing.

move forward

Highlights advancement, but is less specific.

make headway

Suggests overcoming obstacles and achieving progress.

FAQs

How can I use "make some moves" in a sentence?

You can use "make some moves" to describe taking action or making strategic decisions. For example, "The company needs to "take action" to stay competitive" or "It's time for me to "move forward" with my career goals".

What are some alternatives to "make some moves"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "take action", "make progress", or "implement changes". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "make some moves"?

The phrase "make some moves" is suitable in informal and semi-formal contexts, such as casual conversations, business meetings, or news articles. However, it may be less appropriate for highly formal or academic writing where more precise language is preferred.

Is "making some moves" grammatically different from "make some moves"?

While "make some moves" is the base form, "making some moves" is the present participle form and is used in continuous tenses. For example, "The company is "making progress" in its sustainability efforts".