make the situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make the situation" is perfectly acceptable and usable in written English, and it can be used in many contexts.
For example, "We discussed the issue at length, and decided that the best course of action would be to make the situation right again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't make the situation worse".

The New York Times - Arts

Accounting rules make the situation worse.

The New York Times

It's going to make the situation worse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The amendment doesn't make the situation better".

The New Yorker

"Her parents make the situation happen.

The New Yorker

"That would make the situation worse".

The New York Times

This seemed to make the situation worse.

The New Yorker

Let me make the situation clear.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That will make the situation very tense".

The New Yorker

This will make the situation in Iraq worse".

The New York Times

"I believe any further militarisation would make the situation worse.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make the situation", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Do you want to imply improvement, worsening, or simply a change in state? Choose alternative verbs accordingly.

Common error

Avoid using "make the situation" when a more specific verb would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of "This will make the situation better", consider "This will improve the situation" or "This will resolve the issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make the situation" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "make" acts as a transitive verb taking "the situation" as its direct object. This construction describes the act of influencing or changing the circumstances, whether for better or worse. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

35%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make the situation" is a versatile and frequently used expression in English, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as a verb phrase describing the act of influencing or changing a particular set of circumstances. While grammatically correct and widely applicable, it's important to consider the specific nuance you intend to convey. News & Media sources commonly employ this phrase, followed by Wiki and scientific publications. For more formal contexts, alternatives such as "improve the circumstances" or "ameliorate the problem" might be more appropriate. According to Ludwig AI, while perfectly acceptable, the phrase's impact can be enhanced by choosing more precise alternatives based on the desired meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve the circumstances

Focuses on betterment rather than simply altering the state.

worsen the circumstances

Describes a negative impact, opposite of improving.

ameliorate the problem

Emphasizes making a specific problem better.

aggravate the circumstances

Specifically denotes making a negative situation worse.

clarify the matter

Deals with making something clearer or more understandable.

exacerbate the problem

Highlights intensifying an existing issue.

rectify the matter

Directly aims to correct something that is wrong.

influence the outcome

Focuses on affecting the final result.

handle the affair

Suggests managing or dealing with an event.

address the issue

Indicates taking steps to resolve a specific issue.

FAQs

How can I use "make the situation" in a sentence?

You can use "make the situation" to describe altering a circumstance. For instance, "Remaining calm can "help make the situation" more manageable" or "Adding fuel to the fire will only "make the situation worse"".

What are some alternatives to "make the situation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "improve the circumstances", "worsen the circumstances", or "clarify the matter".

Is it better to say "make the situation better" or "improve the situation"?

"Improve the situation" is often more direct and concise, but "make the situation better" can be used for emphasis or to specify a particular action to improve things. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Can "make the situation" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "make the situation" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider whether a more precise verb might be more appropriate for the context. In some cases, more formal alternatives like "ameliorate the problem" or "rectify the matter" may be preferred.