makes the grade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes the grade" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something meets a required standard or level of quality. Example: "After months of hard work, she finally makes the grade and is accepted into the prestigious program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Time will tell if it makes the grade.

Independent

The magazine ranked the Buckeyes No. 1 with an asterisk: "If Andy Katzenmoyer makes the grade".

The New York Times - Sports

Of the women who were ­Sickert's faithful allies, only Thérèse ­Lessore makes the grade.

The Guardian - Arts

Scorekeepers may note that Marcel Duchamp is a no-show, but Cindy Sherman makes the grade.

The New Yorker

The talks will start at the end of next year if Turkey makes the grade.

The New York Times

"Manet and the Execution of Maximilian," however, makes the grade, and at a perfect time.

The New York Times - Arts

How much of what he's done over the last quarter decade really makes the grade – and how much is hype?

The Guardian

Restrained and ambitious, he makes the grade as a professional boxer before retiring to run a profitable city-centre bar.

The Guardian - Books

The first line of the song is about reading the news and a lucky man who makes the grade.

The Guardian

Although Nile Rodgers makes the grade as a B-list celebrity, he isn't as famous as the musical record warrants.

The New York Times - Books

But only Dmitry Medvedev, as president of the Russian federation, makes the grade; prime minister Vladimir Putin is conspicuous by his absence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "makes the grade" when you want to express that someone or something has successfully met a required standard, especially after a period of effort or scrutiny. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "makes the grade" is widely understood, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "meets the requirements" or "satisfies the criteria" in academic or professional documents. Consider the tone of your writing and choose the most appropriate phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes the grade" primarily functions as a predicate in a sentence. It indicates that a subject has met a specific standard or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its common use, signifying successful attainment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "makes the grade" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that someone or something has successfully met a required standard or level of quality. Ludwig AI examples show it appearing frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Reference contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of your writing and choose the most appropriate alternative if needed. Remember that while "makes the grade" is widely accepted, more formal phrases like "meets the requirements" may be preferable in certain academic or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meets the requirements

Focuses on fulfilling specific, stated requirements.

satisfies the criteria

Emphasizes meeting specific criteria or conditions.

achieves the standard

Highlights the act of attaining a specific level of performance.

measures up

Implies a comparison against a standard or expectation.

fulfills expectations

Implies meeting or exceeding what was anticipated.

passes muster

Suggests approval after a critical examination.

proves satisfactory

Indicates that something has shown itself to be adequate or acceptable.

cuts the mustard

An informal way of saying something is satisfactory.

comes up to scratch

Primarily British English, indicating something meets the required standard.

is up to par

Suggests something is at the expected level or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "makes the grade" in a sentence?

You can use "makes the grade" to indicate that someone or something has met a particular standard or requirement. For example: "The new policy finally "makes the grade" after several revisions".

What are some alternatives to "makes the grade"?

You can use alternatives like "meets the requirements", "measures up", or "satisfies the criteria depending on the context".

Is "makes the grade" formal or informal?

"Makes the grade" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What does it mean when something "makes the grade"?

When something ""makes the grade"", it means that it has successfully met the necessary requirements or standards and is considered acceptable or successful.