make something out of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make something out of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to create or produce something from a certain material or resources. Example: She is very skilled at making beautiful sculptures out of clay. Another example: I'm going to make a cake out of these ingredients. You can also use it in a figurative sense, meaning to find a solution or make something successful despite limited resources or challenging circumstances. Example: The company's CEO was able to make a profitable business out of a failing company. In general, you can use "make something out of" whenever you are talking about creating or producing something from a material or resource. It can also be used to describe making something successful or finding a solution despite challenges.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You make something out of nothing.

The New Yorker

We'll make something out of it that works".

The New York Times - Arts

("They know how to make something out of nothing").

The New York Times

"I was trying to make something out of nothing".

The New York Times

It allowed the Republicans to make something out of nothing".

The New York Times

So don't try to make something out of nothing".

The New York Times - Sports

You can make something out of nothing here.

The Guardian - Opinion

He thought you could make something out of a movie.

The Guardian - Books

The challenge is to make something out of a limited musical palette.

The New York Times - Arts

Bradshaw can make something out of nothing with a lightning-quick cut.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think people tried to make something out of it that was never there".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing innovation, use "make something out of" to illustrate the ability to transform initial ideas or materials into tangible outcomes.

Common error

While acceptable, "make something out of" can sound informal in academic or business contexts. Consider stronger verbs like "create", "develop", or "construct" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make something out of" functions primarily as a phrasal verb expressing the action of creating, developing, or transforming something from a specific source or situation. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make something out of" is a versatile phrasal verb that effectively conveys the idea of creating, developing, or transforming something from a particular source or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, it is also applicable in science and general communication. For more formal or academic writing, consider stronger alternatives. This analysis provides practical guidance to confidently use "make something out of" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create from scratch

Emphasizes the lack of pre-existing materials or resources.

construct from

Highlights the methodical and deliberate process of building.

build from the ground up

Highlights the progressive and foundational nature of the creation.

derive from

Suggests obtaining or deducing something as a consequence or result.

fashion out of

Suggests a more artistic or skillful creation process.

develop from

Focuses on growth and evolution from an initial state.

formulate from

Implies creating a plan or strategy from available information.

extract from

Implies obtaining something valuable from a source.

transform into

Indicates a complete change in form or nature.

capitalize on

Highlights the action of exploiting an event or situation in order to gain an advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "make something out of" in a sentence?

You can use "make something out of" to describe creating or producing something from a particular resource, such as "She can "make something out of" recycled materials" or "He "made something out of" a difficult situation".

What are some alternatives to "make something out of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "create from scratch", "develop from", or "transform into".

Is it correct to say "make anything out of nothing"?

Yes, the expression "make something out of nothing" is a common idiom that means to create something valuable or successful with no initial resources or advantages.

When is it appropriate to use "make something out of" in writing?

"Make something out of" is suitable for various contexts, from describing creative processes to highlighting resourceful problem-solving. However, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using stronger or more precise verbs such as "construct", "formulate", or "derive".