makes it to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes it to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something has successfully arrived at a destination or achieved a goal. Example: "After a long journey, she finally makes it to the top of the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Fingers crossed Cornbury makes it to its eleventh year.

Independent

(b) Makes it to the bathroom.

The New Yorker

He makes it to the bus shelter.

The New Yorker

Scott never makes it to L.A.

The New Yorker

Who makes it to the semifinals?

The New York Times

But not every item makes it to table.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

None made it to air.

The New Yorker

He made it to EGOT.

The New York Times

Emanuel made it to college.

The New Yorker

Make it "to try to recoup".

The New York Times

We made it to one museum.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "makes it to" when you want to emphasize the successful completion of a journey or achievement of a goal, especially when there were obstacles or uncertainty involved.

Common error

While versatile, "makes it to" can sound informal in highly formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "arrives at" or "reaches" in academic papers or business reports.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "makes it to" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the successful completion of a journey, achievement of a goal, or arrival at a specific destination. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "makes it to" is a versatile idiomatic expression used to convey successful arrival or achievement, often in the face of challenges. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it may be wise to consider more formal alternatives like "arrives at" or "reaches" in academic or business contexts. With a high expert rating and numerous examples demonstrating its application, "makes it to" remains a valuable and readily understandable phrase in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

makes it

Shorter version, conveys the idea of succeeding despite challenges.

arrives at

Focuses more directly on the act of reaching a physical location.

reaches

Similar to "arrives at", but can also apply to abstract goals or states.

gets to

A more informal alternative, suggesting arrival or access.

manages to reach

Highlights the effort and skill involved in arriving.

attains

Implies a significant effort or achievement in reaching a goal.

achieves

Focuses on the successful completion of a task or reaching a desired outcome.

succeeds in reaching

Emphasizes overcoming obstacles to arrive.

finds its way to

Suggests a less direct or intentional path to arrival.

progresses to

Emphasizes the step-by-step advancement towards a final point or state.

FAQs

What does "makes it to" mean?

The phrase "makes it to" means successfully reaching a destination or achieving a goal, often after some effort or overcoming obstacles.

What can I say instead of "makes it to"?

You can use alternatives like "arrives at", "reaches", or "attains" depending on the context.

How to use "makes it to" in a sentence?

Example: "After a long journey, she finally makes it to the top of the mountain."

Is "makes it to" formal or informal?

The phrase "makes it to" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more suitable for informal or neutral situations. In very formal writing, consider using "arrives at" or "reaches".