make things interesting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make things interesting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing ways to enhance engagement or excitement in a situation, activity, or conversation. Example: "To keep the audience engaged during the presentation, we need to find ways to make things interesting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This will make things interesting".

The New York Times

Maryland continues to make things interesting against West Virginia.

The New York Times

He could make things interesting in terms of our decisions".

The New York Times

That might yet make things interesting come Gold Cup time.

The Guardian - Sport

Not that the Rangers didn't make things interesting.

The New York Times - Sports

That may yet make things interesting for the country.

The New York Times

Utah is going to make things interesting in the Pac-12 South.

The New York Times

Stosur certainly does like to make things interesting at the Open.

The New York Times

We need Germany to score a quick goal or two to make things interesting here.

The Guardian - Sport

To make things interesting, they decided to route runners through the huge Ikea parking lot.

The New York Times

Absolute stalemate is what happens, with enough lateral motion to make things interesting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make things interesting" when you want to suggest adding an element of excitement, challenge, or intrigue to a situation or activity. It's suitable for a wide range of contexts, from sports commentary to discussions about design or personal relationships.

Common error

While versatile, "make things interesting" can become repetitive if used too frequently. Vary your language by using synonyms like "spice things up" or "add some excitement" to maintain freshness and engagement in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make things interesting" functions as a verbal phrase. It indicates an action aimed at altering a situation to be more engaging or exciting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make things interesting" is a versatile expression used to denote the act of adding excitement, challenge, or intrigue to a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's widely employed across various contexts, including news, sports, and general communication. While it maintains a neutral register, overuse should be avoided by incorporating synonyms like "spice things up" or "add some excitement" to enhance writing quality. The prevalence of this phrase in authoritative sources indicates its widespread acceptance and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

add some excitement

Directly states the intention to make something more exciting.

liven things up

Implies making a situation more lively or animated.

spice things up

Uses a more informal idiom to suggest adding excitement or flavor.

shake things up

Similar to 'spice things up' but with a connotation of making more significant changes.

add a twist

Suggests introducing an unexpected change or element.

inject some fun

Focuses on adding enjoyment and amusement.

heighten the intrigue

Emphasizes increasing the level of mystery or fascination.

create a challenge

Focuses on introducing a difficulty or obstacle.

stir the pot

Suggests creating controversy or excitement, often with a negative connotation.

complicate matters

Implies adding complexity or difficulty to a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "make things interesting" in a sentence?

You can use "make things interesting" to describe actions or events that add excitement, challenge, or intrigue to a situation. For example, "The unexpected plot twist really made things interesting".

What are some alternatives to "make things interesting"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "spice things up", "add some excitement", or "liven things up".

Is "make things interesting" formal or informal?

"Make things interesting" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both casual and more professional contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or highly professional settings.

How can I "make things interesting" in my writing?

To "make things interesting" in your writing, consider adding unexpected details, posing thought-provoking questions, or introducing contrasting viewpoints. For instance, incorporate surprising facts or use vivid descriptions to "liven things up" and engage your readers.