make things work

USAGE SUMMARY

"make things work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of trying to get something to work or functioning correctly. For example: "I'm trying to make things work by tightening the screws on the broken chair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Will they make things work?

The New Yorker

"You make things work out.

The New York Times

Eric likes to make things work.

The New York Times

"It took a lot of effort to make things work.

The New York Times

The non-couple decide to try to make things work.

The New Yorker

"Who sticks around and tries to make things work again?

The New York Times - Books

If not, we've got to make things work without him".

The New York Times - Sports

"I've often tried to make things work instead of letting them happen.

Independent

In the rehearsal room what did you do to try to make things work with Shia?

The New York Times

Mr. Olenick did his best to make things work from there.

The New York Times

But some critics maintain that his proposed changes will not actually make things work better.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make things work", ensure the context clearly indicates what "things" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. It is better to be specific whenever possible.

Common error

Avoid using "make things work" in overly broad or vague contexts where the specific actions or items being addressed are unclear. Provide sufficient context to ensure the phrase's meaning is readily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make things work" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating an action to ensure functionality or success. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

22%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make things work" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that conveys the effort and intention to ensure functionality or success across a wide range of contexts. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While primarily found in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for various communication styles. Remember to provide sufficient context to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolve issues

Focuses on addressing problems directly to achieve a functional outcome.

ensure success

Highlights the positive outcome of making something function effectively.

get things running

Implies starting or restarting a process or system.

find a solution

Emphasizes the problem-solving aspect of making things functional.

bring to fruition

Suggests completing a project or plan successfully.

figure out how to proceed

Focuses on determining the necessary steps for progress.

make the system functional

Specifically refers to ensuring a system operates correctly.

enable functionality

Highlights the act of activating or improving function.

iron out the details

Suggests resolving minor issues to improve overall performance.

troubleshoot problems

Focuses on identifying and fixing specific issues.

FAQs

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

You can use "make things work" to describe the act of ensuring something functions properly or succeeds, such as "We need to innovate to "make things work" in this challenging market".

What are some alternatives to "make things work"?

Alternatives include "resolve issues", "ensure success", or "get things running", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make things work" or "make things happen"?

"Make things work" implies ensuring functionality or solving problems, while "make things happen" suggests taking action to achieve a desired outcome. The choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What does it mean to "make things work" in a relationship?

In a relationship, ""make things work"" means putting in effort, compromising, and communicating effectively to maintain a healthy and fulfilling partnership.