make them better

USAGE SUMMARY

"make them better" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to indicate that something should be improved. Example: We need to find ways to make them better prepared for their exams.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It will serve to make them better.

Independent

My job is to make them better".

The New York Times

"We constantly have to make them better".

The New York Times

It might make them better foxes.

The New York Times

Make them better, for sure".

The Guardian - Music

There's no intent to make them better.

The New Yorker

Would antipathy make them better people?

The Guardian - Opinion

Does this make them better people?

The Guardian - Opinion

"I wished to make them better".

The New York Times

Stoudemire can make them better but it's a delicate situation.

The New York Times - Sports

"They know that we make them better," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "make them better", ensure the context clearly defines who or what "them" refers to, to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "make the students better learners" instead of just "make them better".

Common error

Avoid using "make them better" without specifying a target area for improvement. Saying "hardships cause people to grow" is less effective than saying "hardships cause people to develop resilience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make them better" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing the action of improving or enhancing someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make them better" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies improvement or enhancement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable across diverse contexts. The phrase functions as a verb phrase and is commonly employed to express intentions of positive change. While suitable for various registers, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying what "them" refers to. By exploring alternative phrases and avoiding overgeneralization, you can effectively use "make them better" to communicate your desired meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve their condition

Focuses on enhancing the state or situation, rather than directly acting upon.

enhance their quality

Emphasizes improving the degree of excellence or value of something.

ameliorate their situation

Implies making something bad or unsatisfactory better.

upgrade their standards

Highlights raising the level of quality or attainment.

refine their approach

Suggests making subtle improvements to an existing method.

develop their potential

Concentrates on growing underlying capabilities.

cultivate their skills

Implies nurturing and growing talent or abilities.

sharpen their abilities

Emphasizes improving existing abilities to a finer point.

advance their knowledge

Focuses on increasing understanding or expertise.

boost their performance

Highlights improving how well someone or something functions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "make them better" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "improve their condition" or "enhance their quality" to convey a similar meaning with greater sophistication.

Is it always necessary to specify what 'them' refers to when using "make them better"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the referent of "them" can significantly enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity, especially in complex or technical writing.

What's the difference between "make them better" and "help them improve"?

While both phrases suggest advancement, "make them better" implies a more direct action, while "help them improve" indicates providing assistance to facilitate their self-improvement.

When is it appropriate to use "make them better" in writing?

The phrase "make them better" is appropriate in a wide range of contexts, from casual conversation to professional communication, as long as the meaning is clear and the tone aligns with the intended audience and purpose.