make your way through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make your way through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of navigating or progressing through a difficult situation, obstacle, or environment. Example: "As the storm intensified, we had to make our way through the flooded streets to reach safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make your way through The Good Place.

The Guardian

"How you make your way through life is personal.

The Guardian - Arts

As you make your way through the Andean mountains, you'll see the whole range.

The New York Times

You have to make your way through the crowd with your fists".

The Guardian - Arts

It sticks to you, that kind of art, as you make your way through life.

The Guardian - Arts

Make your way through the Solar System and the Milky Way – stainless steel scale models of the planets.

Independent

During the first year, you're just trying to make your way through and figure out how everything works".

The New York Times - Sports

Google says it's like having a local friend with you as you make your way through a city.

The New York Times

Then you make your way through the cattleshed-like checkpoint to the Israeli side of the Wall.

Independent

You slowly make your way through the abandoned remains of the dead crew, picking up fuel, tools, a torch.

The Guardian - Tech

Order a couple of small dishes at a time as you make your way through a bottle of ouzo.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make your way through" to describe physical movement, progress in a process, or overcoming obstacles. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being navigated.

Common error

Avoid using "make your way through" when a more direct verb like "complete" or "understand" is more appropriate. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make your way through" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate in a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and used to describe movement, progression, or overcoming obstacles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make your way through" is a versatile and frequently used idiomatic expression that describes the act of navigating or progressing through a physical or metaphorical space. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and finds common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When considering alternatives, it's important to think about the specific nuances you want to convey, such as the level of effort involved or the nature of the obstacle. While ubiquitous, ensure you avoid overuse and consider more direct verbs when appropriate to maintain clarity and conciseness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find your way through

Emphasizes the act of discovering or figuring out the correct path.

navigate through

Focuses more on the skill or act of navigating, often in complex or challenging environments.

push through

Implies overcoming resistance or difficulty with strong effort.

pass through

Suggests a more transient or less involved experience of moving from one point to another.

maneuver through

Suggests careful and skillful handling to avoid obstacles.

proceed through

Implies a formal or orderly progression, often following a set path or procedure.

negotiate through

Implies careful handling and diplomacy when dealing with challenges.

work through

Emphasizes effort and problem-solving in overcoming obstacles or challenges.

break through

Indicates overcoming a significant barrier or obstacle with force or innovation.

advance through

Highlights forward movement and progress, often in a competitive or strategic context.

FAQs

How can I use "make your way through" in a sentence?

You can use "make your way through" to describe moving through a physical space (e.g., "We had to make our way through the crowded streets"), progressing through a process (e.g., "Make your way through the application process"), or overcoming challenges (e.g., "She had to make her way through many difficulties in life").

What are some alternatives to "make your way through"?

Some alternatives to "make your way through" include "navigate through", "pass through", or "work through", depending on the specific context.

Is "make your way through" formal or informal?

"Make your way through" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "proceed through" in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "make your way through" and "get through"?

"Make your way through" often implies a more deliberate or challenging journey, while "get through" can suggest simply completing something, even if it's easy. For example, "She had to make her way through the dense forest" emphasizes the difficulty, whereas "She got through the exam" simply means she finished it.