make themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals taking action to create or establish their own identity, situation, or condition. Example: "In order to succeed, they must learn to make themselves heard in meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even so, people generally make themselves understood.

The New York Times

"They can make themselves less loss-averse.

The New Yorker

Do they make themselves clear?

The Guardian - Sport

Songs that make themselves giddy.

The New Yorker

Do humpbacks hum to make themselves mellow?

The Washington Post

Don't they make themselves sick with excitement?

The Guardian

Secondly, they don't make themselves the story.

The Guardian - Travel

"They have to make themselves into agritourism".

The New York Times

Earthlings could make themselves the statistical anomaly.

The New York Times - Science

The dudes tend to make themselves noticed.

The New York Times

Why shouldn't parents make themselves heard too?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make themselves" when you want to emphasize the reflexive action of individuals or groups shaping their own circumstances or identities. For instance, "To succeed, they must proactively "make themselves" heard."

Common error

While "make themselves" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in passive constructions where a more direct verb would be clearer. For example, instead of "They were made to "make themselves" available", consider "They were required to be available."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make themselves" functions primarily as a reflexive verb construction. It indicates that the subject is both performing and receiving the action, implying a transformation or presentation of self. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make themselves" is a versatile and grammatically sound reflexive construction, widely used across diverse contexts to indicate agency and self-direction. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and prevalence. Predominantly found in news and media, it signifies how individuals or groups actively shape their circumstances, identities, or perceptions. To enhance writing, use it to emphasize self-driven actions and avoid overuse in passive constructions, opting for more direct verbs when appropriate. Remember, always use "themselves" for plural subjects and reserve "himself" or "herself" for singular referents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

render themselves

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of causing oneself to be in a certain state.

establish their presence

Focuses on creating a noticeable or significant presence.

position themselves

Focuses on strategically placing oneself for advantage or visibility.

promote themselves

Highlights efforts to advance one's reputation or career.

assert their authority

Emphasizes the act of demonstrating and enforcing power or control.

transform themselves

Stresses a complete change in form or appearance.

put themselves forward

Emphasizes the act of volunteering or offering oneself for a role or task.

become self-sufficient

Highlights the process of becoming independent and capable of providing for oneself.

introduce themselves

Focuses on the act of making one's identity known.

get themselves

A more informal alternative, indicating the act of acquiring or achieving something for oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "make themselves" in a sentence?

You can use "make themselves" to describe actions individuals take to change their condition or perception. Example: "The students worked hard to "make themselves" competitive for college admissions."

What are some alternatives to "make themselves"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "establish their presence", "become self-sufficient", or "position themselves".

Is it correct to say "make themself" instead of "make themselves"?

No, "make themself" is grammatically incorrect. "Themselves" is the reflexive pronoun used when the subject is plural. Use "himself" or "herself" when referring to a singular subject.

What's the difference between "make themselves" and "do it themselves"?

"Make themselves" typically implies shaping an identity, condition or perception, while "do it themselves" focuses on performing an action without assistance. For instance, "They had to "make themselves" known in the industry" versus "They decided to "do it themselves" to save money".