make work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make work" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to creating or generating tasks or responsibilities, often with the implication that they may be unnecessary or burdensome. Example: The new boss's strict policies only served to make work for the already overworked employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

We must make work.

The New York Times

Men, they make work.

The Guardian

This is tough business to make work".

The New York Times

Does it make work more creative?

The Economist

David Cameron wants to make work pay.

Independent

I just want to make work".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

How might you make work-related lemonade?

Huffington Post

It is not make-work projects.

The New Yorker

Though not for me make-work.

The New Yorker

For an individual, the make-work bias makes some sense.

The Economist

The NREGA scheme creates low-paid make-work jobs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make work", consider if the tasks are truly necessary or if they are merely created to fill time. Aim for efficiency and meaningful contributions.

Common error

Be cautious about using "make work" as a justification for inefficient practices. Prioritize streamlining processes rather than generating superfluous tasks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make work" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often implying the creation or generation of tasks, responsibilities or jobs. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, from government policies aiming to "make work pay" to discussions about augmented reality making work easier.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make work" is a versatile expression that refers to the creation of tasks or jobs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used in written English. Its function spans across describing genuine efforts to create employment, as well as implying the generation of unnecessary or contrived tasks. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but is suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "make work", it's important to consider the context and whether the tasks are genuinely productive or simply filling time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create tasks

Highlights the act of forming assignments.

generate employment

Focuses specifically on job creation.

produce employment

Emphasizes the outcome of providing jobs.

develop projects

Focuses on the creation of specific projects.

initiate activities

Highlights the start of various activities.

manufacture assignments

Suggests a more artificial or contrived creation of tasks.

engender responsibilities

Emphasizes the creation of duties.

formulate duties

Highlights the creation of specific duties or responsibilities.

establish roles

Focuses on defining positions and their associated duties.

contrive tasks

Suggests a deliberately planned or devised set of tasks.

FAQs

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

You can use "make work" to describe the creation of tasks, as in, "The new regulations seemed to "make work" for the administrative staff".

What is an alternative to "make work"?

Alternatives include phrases like "create tasks", "generate employment", or "develop projects" depending on the context.

Is "make work" a formal expression?

"Make work" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though in formal settings, consider if a more precise term like "initiate activities" is more appropriate.

What does it mean to "make work" for someone?

To "make work" for someone means to create tasks or duties that they need to perform, often implying that these tasks might be unnecessary or time-consuming.