make them fit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make them fit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to adjusting or modifying something to ensure it is suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose or context. Example: "We need to make them fit into the new design to ensure everything aligns properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To make them fit.

The Guardian - Books

In Greek mythology, Procrustes either stretched or cut his guests to make them fit the bed.

The New York Times

Mr. Chi posted to Twitter, truncating some words to make them fit.

The New York Times

He would make connections between disparate thoughts and make them fit in harmonious ways.

The New Yorker

The Patriots have already shown that they know how to pick players and make them fit.

The New York Times - Sports

First, we must repair the 1960s buildings and make them fit for the next 50 years.

The Guardian - Opinion

The best songs often take two disparate ideas and make them fit together.

The Guardian

A handyman buddy suggested that I could make them fit by breaking off some metal tabs in each can.

The New York Times

Since we didn't have any of the old trim, it was a challenge to make them fit.

The New York Times

It increasingly reinterpreted its own teachings to make them fit into a Platonic rather than Hebrew worldview.

The Guardian - Opinion

Long-term averages don't fit short-term windows, but that doesn't seem to stop us from trying to make them fit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make them fit", consider the specific context. Are you altering physical objects, ideas, or systems? Choose related words that reflect the nature of the adaptation, like "adjust" for minor tweaks or "reshape" for significant transformations.

Common error

Avoid using "make them fit" when a more precise verb would better convey the action. For example, instead of saying "make the data fit the model", use "calibrate the data" if that's the specific action you are taking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make them fit" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of modifying or adjusting something to ensure it meets certain requirements or integrates successfully within a system or context. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make them fit" is a versatile and widely used expression that conveys the act of adapting or adjusting items to achieve compatibility or suitability. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used across a range of contexts, from News & Media to Science. While common, consider whether a more specific verb might offer greater clarity in your writing. Alternatives such as "adjust", "adapt", or "modify" can provide nuanced meanings depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adapt them

Focuses on the process of changing something to suit new conditions.

adjust them

Highlights fine-tuning or minor changes to achieve a better result.

modify them

Implies a more significant alteration to change the form or qualities.

tailor them

Suggests a precise alteration to meet specific requirements.

accommodate them

Emphasizes providing space or adapting to include something.

integrate them

Focuses on combining parts into a unified whole.

convert them

Highlights transforming something into a different form.

remodel them

Suggests significant reconstruction or redesign.

reshape them

Implies altering the fundamental form or structure.

customize them

Focuses on personalization to meet individual needs.

FAQs

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

You can use "make them fit" to describe the action of adjusting something to be suitable or compatible, as in, "We need to "adapt them" to the new requirements to "make them adapt" to the new context".

What are some alternatives to "make them fit"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "adjust them", ""adapt them"", or "modify them".

Is it always appropriate to use "make them fit"?

While generally acceptable, "make them fit" can sometimes be too vague. Consider whether a more specific verb like "tailor them" or "customize them" would be more precise and informative.

What's the difference between "make them fit" and ""make them adapt""?

"Make them fit" implies adjusting something to be suitable, while ""make them adapt"" suggests causing something to change in order to become suitable. The former focuses on the result, and the latter focuses on the process.