make something better

USAGE SUMMARY

"make something better" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the action of improving something or causing it to become better. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing the act of enhancing a product, improving a situation, or making changes to a system. Example sentence: "The company is constantly trying to make their products better by listening to customer feedback and implementing improvements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First, did I make something better today?

Cornell University

I'm here to try and make something better.

The Guardian - Arts

YOU can make something better by taking out the improvements.

The New York Times

If I have a good failure and make something better, I can contribute something.

The New York Times - Arts

How we could make something better: more natural, clear and expressive?

The Guardian - Tech

You exhausted every possibility there was to make something great or make something better.

The New York Times

He was engaged, immersed in every detail of the business, always trying to make something better.

The Guardian - Business

We were all striving toward the same goal – to succeed and make something better for ourselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

"More people thinking about how to make something better" is generally a good policy, Cote said.

The Washington Post

Have you ever wondered if you could make something better than boxed stuff?

The Washington Post

Jimmy Testagross may or may not fully vanquish his demons, but he might yet make something better of himself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make something better", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being improved and the desired outcome. Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "make something better" without specifying what 'something' refers to. Vague usage can lead to confusion and weaken your message. Always identify the subject being improved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make something better" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of improving or enhancing something. This encompasses various scenarios from refining a product to improving a situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make something better" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of improving or enhancing something. As evidenced by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, it appears across diverse contexts, from news and media to academia, indicating its widespread applicability. Related phrases include "improve something" and "enhance something", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly define what is being improved to avoid vagueness. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve something

Focuses directly on the act of improvement, omitting the 'creation' aspect.

enhance something

Highlights the augmentation and enrichment of an existing item or situation.

refine something

Emphasizes the process of making subtle improvements to achieve a higher quality.

ameliorate something

Refers to making something bad or unsatisfactory better.

upgrade something

Suggests raising something to a higher standard or more advanced level.

develop something further

Implies additional development and progress on an existing project or idea.

build upon something

Focuses on using an existing foundation to create a more advanced version.

advance something

Highlights forward movement and progress towards a more improved state.

elevate something

Suggests raising the status or quality of something to a higher level.

transform something

Implies a significant change that results in an improved state.

FAQs

How can I use "make something better" in a sentence?

You can use "make something better" to describe the act of improving something. For example, "The goal is to "improve the process" and "make something better" for everyone involved."

What's a good alternative to "make something better"?

Alternatives include "improve something", "enhance something", or "refine something", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "make something better"?

The phrase "make something better" is versatile and suitable for various contexts, from everyday conversations to professional settings, when discussing improvements to processes, products, or situations.

How does "make something better" differ from "make something good"?

"Make something better" implies an existing base that is being improved, whereas "make something good" suggests creating something of quality from scratch. The focus is on "making improvements" versus initial creation.