making a documentary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making a documentary" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of creating a documentary film or show. Example: "The filmmakers spent months making a documentary about the endangered species in the rainforest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anyone who thinks film making is glamorous should try making a documentary sometime.

Huffington Post

Are they making a documentary?

The New York Times - Books

Making a documentary widens your experience.

The New York Times

A filmmaker expressed interest in making a documentary about her.

The New York Times

"I'm making a documentary," Ovechkin says, phone pointed at Crosby.

The New York Times - Sports

J. Burden (Roscoe Brown), is making a documentary about addicts.

The New York Times

I have been making a documentary series, Our Drugs War.

The Guardian - Opinion

And second, look, we're not making a documentary".

The Guardian

"I'm thinking of making a documentary about her".

The New York Times

The Hughes Brothers expressed interest in making a documentary.

The New Yorker

He's making a documentary, the life of James Dean.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the entire process of documentary creation, "making a documentary" is appropriate. For highlighting specific phases, consider alternatives like "filming a documentary" or "producing a documentary".

Common error

Avoid using "making a documentary" when a more precise term like "editing a documentary" or "researching a documentary" would provide greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making a documentary" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the activity or process of creating a documentary film. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its common use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making a documentary" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the process of creating a documentary film. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for describing an ongoing activity. While it is frequently found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various settings. Remember to choose more specific terms when referring to particular aspects of documentary creation, such as "filming" or "producing", for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filming a documentary

Focuses specifically on the act of filming, rather than the overall process of creating a documentary.

producing a documentary

Emphasizes the logistical and organizational aspects of creating a documentary.

creating a documentary film

More specific by including the term 'film', suggesting a cinematic presentation.

developing a documentary

Highlights the early stages of planning and conceptualizing the documentary.

shooting a documentary

Similar to filming, but can also refer to still photography within the documentary.

crafting a documentary

Implies a more artistic and careful approach to the documentary's creation.

putting together a documentary

Suggests the assembly and arrangement of different elements to complete the documentary.

working on a documentary

General term indicating involvement in the process of creating a documentary.

preparing a documentary

Focuses on the pre-production phase, including research and planning.

directing a documentary

Highlights the role of the director in shaping the narrative and visual style.

FAQs

How can I use "making a documentary" in a sentence?

You can use "making a documentary" to describe the process of creating a non-fiction film. For example, "She is currently "making a documentary" about climate change".

What are some alternatives to "making a documentary"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "filming a documentary", "producing a documentary", or "creating a documentary film".

Is it correct to say "make a documentary" instead of "making a documentary"?

"Make a documentary" is grammatically correct as an imperative or infinitive form, but when describing an ongoing action, "making a documentary" is more appropriate. For example, "They decided to make a documentary" versus "They are currently making a documentary".

What is the difference between "making a documentary" and "directing a documentary"?

"Making a documentary" refers to the overall process of creating the film, while "directing a documentary" specifically refers to the role of the director in guiding the creative and technical aspects of the production.