make something work

USAGE SUMMARY

"make something work" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase that means to force something to be successful or to find a solution to a problem. For example: "I'm having trouble getting this machine to run properly. I need to make it work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"We're a tight group trying to make something work".

The Guardian - Music

"I tried for three years to make something work.

The Guardian

And that after I moved out, I was going to try to make something work.

The New York Times

We have to go forward and make something work, because it's not going to change".

The Guardian - Music

"The other question is, can you make something work without stars?

The New York Times - Sports

My twenties now seem like this rush of ambitious energy, ploughing through trying to make something work," he said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Channel 4's commitment to making something work is encouraging.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We had been in talks months after that about making something work, and it never came together".

The Guardian - Film

But Mr. Moore would love to figure out how to try again, and the businessmen are committed to making something work.

The New York Times

Keeping it all simple is a fairly complicated proposition, he said, adding: "The idea is that you, as a guest, shouldn't have to think about making something work.

The New York Times

There is a balance to be struck, of course, but to me the most crucial thing is consistency if you ever want a child to have that feeling of satisfaction in their stomach when they have made something work because they stuck at it".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make something work", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'something' refers to. Specificity improves clarity.

Common error

While versatile, "make something work" can sound cliché in casual conversations. Opt for more specific and engaging alternatives like 'fix it' or 'solve this' to maintain a fresh and natural tone in informal speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make something work" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It signifies the action of ensuring that something is successful or functional, often despite challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and idiomatic usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make something work" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to convey the idea of ensuring success or solving a problem to achieve a desired outcome. Ludwig AI validates its idiomatic usage. It finds frequent use in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, making it a versatile expression. While suitable for various contexts, being specific about what needs to 'work' enhances clarity. Consider alternatives like "ensure success" or "find a solution" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make it succeed

More concise and directly targets the act of achieving success.

ensure success

Focuses on guaranteeing a positive outcome.

find a solution

Emphasizes the problem-solving aspect.

deliver results

Emphasizes producing tangible and positive outcomes.

bring to fruition

Highlights the completion and realization of a plan or project.

resolve the issue

Highlights the problem-solving aspect of "make something work".

get it off the ground

Focuses on starting something and making it operational.

achieve the desired outcome

Formal and emphasizes achieving a specific goal.

turn the tide

Suggests reversing a negative situation and achieving a positive outcome.

make headway

Implies progress and advancement towards a goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "make something work" to express the idea of ensuring success or finding a solution. For example, "We need to "make this work" despite the challenges".

What can I say instead of "make something work"?

Alternatives include "ensure success", "find a solution", or "make it succeed" depending on the context.

Is "make something work" formal or informal?

"Make something work" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider alternatives like "achieve the desired outcome" for added precision.

How do I emphasize effort when using "make something work"?

To emphasize effort, you can say, "We are determined to "make something work", no matter the cost," highlighting commitment and perseverance.