making things better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making things better" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing improvement or enhancement in various situations, such as personal growth, project development, or social issues. Example: "Our goal is focused on making things better for our community through various outreach programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are you making things better?

The New York Times

He says of Pope, "It's never about making things better.

The New Yorker

"They like my ideas for making things better".

The New York Times

A long, long way to go toward making things better.

The Guardian - Opinion

Making things better "is not that fucking complicated", he insists.

The Guardian - Books

He thought about making things better for his family.

The New York Times

So how can you contribute to making things better?

Harvard Business Review

At best, life is about making things better.

The Guardian

Disengagement makes sense because engagement isn't making things better — and possibly making them worse.

The New York Times

Our second darts also get in the way of making things better.

University of California, Berkeley

Without measurement, you can't tell if management is making things better or worse.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "making things better", consider the specific context. Is it about improving a situation, a process, or people's lives? Tailor your language to reflect the specific type of improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "making things better" as a vague or generic statement. Instead, specify what improvements are being made and how they are being achieved to provide clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making things better" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that it commonly describes an ongoing process or action aimed at improvement, as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making things better" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the concept of improvement across various contexts. As Ludwig AI shows, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted, appearing most often in news and media. While generally neutral, consider the specific context to determine if a more formal alternative would be more appropriate. Remember to provide specific details about the intended improvements to enhance clarity and impact when using the phrase "making things better".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improving the situation

Focuses on the overall state rather than individual items, slightly more formal.

enhancing conditions

Implies a focus on external factors and circumstances, more formal and less personal.

ameliorating circumstances

A more formal and less frequently used alternative, suggesting alleviation of negative conditions.

upgrading the status quo

Suggests a deliberate and noticeable improvement, often in a system or process.

bettering the state of affairs

Focuses on improving the overall situation, slightly more formal and literary.

making progress

Emphasizes advancement and forward movement, rather than a completed state of improvement.

advancing positive change

Highlights the act of promoting change with a beneficial outcome, more focused on initiative.

optimizing processes

Focuses on efficiency and effectiveness, mainly applicable in business or technical contexts.

refining operations

Suggests a subtle improvement in existing practices, often used in professional environments.

boosting performance

Highlights increasing effectiveness or output, commonly used in performance-related contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "making things better" in a sentence?

You can use "making things better" in a sentence to express the act of improving a situation or process. For example, "The goal of the project is "making things better" for the community."

What are some alternatives to "making things better"?

Alternatives to "making things better" include "improving the situation", "enhancing conditions", or "ameliorating circumstances" depending on the context.

Is "making things better" formal or informal?

"Making things better" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain professional settings.

Which is correct, "making things better" or "to make things better"?

Both "making things better" and "to make things better" are grammatically correct, but they function differently. "Making things better" can act as a gerund phrase (noun), while "to make things better" functions as an infinitive phrase (adjective or adverb).