making to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making to" is not standard in written English and may be considered incorrect or unclear.
It could potentially be used in specific contexts, but it is generally not recognized as a proper expression. Example: "He was making to leave the room when he remembered his keys."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Fortunately, Verus left decision making to Marcus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Still, he preferred hard-boiled deal making to costly conflict.

The New York Times - Arts

Seeing the difference we're making to people is very satisfying.

The Guardian - Money

What rules should we be making to reduce the risks?

The Guardian

DE VRIES -- What changes are you making to the show?

The New York Times - Arts

"To summarise; great change and businesses need to change decision making to accommodate this or perish".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Consequently, planning and decision-making to improve retention requires multi-sectoral collaboration within and beyond government.

BMC Health Services Research

It is not uncommon for models of decision-making to focus on one or the other.

BMC Nursing

Participants' decision-making to access health services relied heavily on these lay community members.

BMJ Open

Yes, urgent soup-making to do, I told him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The methodology provides a framework to induce metacognition during decision-making to ensure rigor and consistency.

Education for Chemical Engineers

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clear and grammatically sound writing, avoid using "making to". Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "preparing to" or "about to" to ensure accuracy and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "making to" as a substitute for phrases like "preparing to" or "about to" in formal contexts. This usage can detract from your credibility and clarity. Instead, choose more precise and grammatically correct alternatives to maintain professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an intention or preparation for an action. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is not standard in written English and often considered incorrect. Its function can overlap with other phrases like "preparing to" or "about to".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English, even though it appears in various sources. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While it intends to express an action in preparation, clearer alternatives like "preparing to" or "about to" are more appropriate. Despite its common usage, especially in News & Media and Science contexts, it's advisable to opt for more precise alternatives in formal writing to ensure clarity and credibility. Therefore, exercise caution and prefer established phrases for enhanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preparing to

Indicates imminent action or readiness. Replaces "making to" to convey the idea of getting ready.

about to

Similar to "preparing to", emphasizing the immediacy of the action. Used as a grammatically correct substitute.

in the process of

Describes an action currently underway. Offers a more formal alternative to "making to".

working towards

Highlights the effort and direction of an action. Conveys a sense of progress and purpose.

endeavoring to

A formal way of expressing an attempt to achieve something. Suitable for professional contexts.

taking steps to

Emphasizes the individual actions taken towards a goal. Suitable when outlining specific measures.

striving to

Conveys a sense of determined effort. Suitable when facing challenges or obstacles.

aiming to

Expresses a clear intention or goal. Appropriate for statements of purpose and objectives.

intending to

Similar to "aiming to", but emphasizes the conscious decision to act. Can be used in formal settings.

planning to

Focuses on the preparatory phase before an action. Suitable when describing future intentions.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "making to"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can replace "making to" with alternatives such as "preparing to", "about to", or "in the process of" for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Is "making to" grammatically correct in English?

Generally, "making to" isn't considered grammatically correct in standard English. Using clearer alternatives like "planning to" or "intending to" will improve your writing's precision.

When is it appropriate to use "making to"?

While not generally recommended, "making to" may occasionally appear in informal speech or certain dialects. However, it's best to use standard alternatives in formal or professional writing to avoid confusion.

What are some common mistakes people make when using "making to"?

A common mistake is using "making to" as a direct substitute for phrases such as "preparing to" or "about to", which can lead to grammatical errors. Always consider more grammatically sound options.