making them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'making them' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used as a verb phrase when referring to the action of creating something. For example: "The baker was proud of the cookies he had made, making them with only the finest ingredients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Making them is hard.

The Economist

"Just making them mad.

The New York Times

Making them "subjects".

The New Yorker

Time is making them harder.

The Economist

Making them happen is not.

The New York Times

"Making them discreet is important".

The New York Times

Or, rather, not making them.

The Economist

I'm just not making them.

Independent

Now I'm making them".

The New York Times - Sports

Making them acceptable".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're just making them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "making them", ensure the context clearly indicates what "them" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For example, instead of "The process involves heat, making them stronger", specify "The process involves heat, making the metal components stronger".

Common error

Avoid using "making them" when the referent of "them" is unclear or distant in the text. This can lead to confusion and require the reader to retrace their steps to understand the intended meaning. Always ensure the pronoun has a clear and immediate antecedent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making them" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as part of a larger verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. The phrase typically describes an ongoing action or process of creation, alteration, or causation. This is supported by examples found in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "making them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions to describe the process of creating or causing something. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure that the pronoun "them" has a clear referent to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig examples show its prevalence across diverse sources, including news, wikis and science. When a more formal register is required or when the phrase doesn't feel appropriate, alternatives such as "creating them", "producing them", or "developing them" can be used to achieve a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating them

This alternative directly replaces "making" with a synonym, emphasizing the act of bringing something into existence.

producing them

This alternative focuses on the manufacturing or generating aspect of "making".

forming them

This emphasizes the act of giving shape or structure to something.

constructing them

This suggests a more deliberate and structured process of "making", often implying assembly or building.

building them

Similar to "constructing them", this emphasizes the act of creating something substantial over time.

shaping them

Similar to "forming them", but emphasizes the act of molding or influencing something's final form.

developing them

This focuses on the gradual growth and evolution involved in the "making" process.

assembling them

This focuses on the act of putting together different parts to create a whole.

crafting them

This suggests a skillful and artistic approach to "making", often implying attention to detail.

fashioning them

Similar to "crafting them", this suggests a more decorative or refined approach to "making".

FAQs

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

Use "making them" to describe the process of creating, causing, or influencing something to be in a particular state. For example: "The constant pressure is making them nervous", or "The chef enjoys experimenting with new recipes, making them unique".

What are some alternatives to "making them"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use phrases like "creating them", "producing them", "constructing them", or "developing them".

Is there a difference between "making them" and "causing them"?

"Making them" generally implies a direct action or creation, while "causing them" suggests a more indirect influence or chain of events leading to a result. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "making them" in formal writing?

"Making them" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider whether a more precise or sophisticated synonym might be more appropriate for the specific context. For example, in academic or scientific writing, "rendering them" or "effecting them" might be more suitable.