make them about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make them about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to specify the subject or focus of something, such as a discussion, project, or piece of writing. Example: "For the next assignment, please make them about environmental issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

And while there is inherent theatricality in the work of many designers, there is also an inescapable flatness to all the predictably gorgeous people in all the gorgeous clothes that in the long run make them about as exciting to sit through as an installment of "Sunrise Semester".

The New York Times - Style

Make them about.75" (2 cm) long.

WikiHow

I make them about 3-1.

The Guardian - Opinion

Make clerihews, we said, and make them about the famous figures of today.

The New Yorker

Archaeologists said they believed the six skeletons date back to roughly 2300 B.C., which would make them about the same age as the Amesbury Archer.

The New York Times

I think Manning is worth a little more than that, and working off the average projection (the over/under was 9.5 to 10 on season wins before this news) would make them about a 7 win team.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Was getting a little boring, so I looked into making them about 10 years ago.

The New York Times

It makes them about the most determinedly harmless fundamentalists in the world today.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Its operating margins are close to 60percentt, which makes them about the highest in the industry".

The New York Times

I've started making them about four years ago and never stopped.

Vice

What's also troubling about Levchin's comments is that he would never have made them about a man.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make them about" when you want to emphasize the core subject or focus of something. This phrasing can help highlight the intended purpose or central theme.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "make them about" can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives such as "focus on", "center around", or "gear towards" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make them about" functions as a directive or descriptive phrase, specifying the topic or subject that something should address or be centered on. Ludwig AI confirms this based on its analysis of various examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make them about" is used to instruct or describe the focus of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, though it's considered relatively rare. It is often found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the referent of "them" and consider varying your phrasing for better style. Alternatives include phrases like "focus on" or "center around".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus them on

Uses "focus" instead of "make", directly highlighting the act of directing attention.

center them on

Replaces "make" with "center", offering a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the act of focusing.

direct them towards

Replaces "make" with "direct", changing the action to one of guiding or pointing towards a subject.

gear them towards

Emphasizes tailoring something to a particular subject or purpose.

orient them around

Suggests arranging or positioning something with a central theme in mind.

design them around

Implies planning and creation with a specific subject as the core.

theme them around

Highlights the use of a subject as a recurring element or motif.

structure them around

Focuses on the organizational aspect, using the subject as a framework.

predicate them on

More formal, suggesting a logical basis or foundation on a subject.

dedicate them to

Indicates committing something entirely to a particular subject.

FAQs

How can I use "make them about" in a sentence?

You can use "make them about" to indicate the subject or theme of something. For example: "For the next assignment, "make them about environmental issues"."

What are some alternatives to "make them about"?

Some alternatives to "make them about" include "focus on", "center around", or "gear towards". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "make them about" formal or informal?

"Make them about" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer a more precise alternative.

How does the meaning of "make them about" differ from "tell them about"?

"Make them about" defines the subject matter, while "tell them about" involves conveying information. For example, "make the presentation about sales figures" sets the topic, whereas "tell them about the sales figures" communicates the details.