making up the

USAGE SUMMARY

"making up the" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to refer to the process of creating or forming something, or to describe the components or parts that comprise something. Example: She spent hours making up the perfect excuse for her absence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Making up the ways they think.

The Guardian - Books

"I deeply regret making up the story," he said.

The New York Times

He accused Ukraine of making up the story.

Vice

Their suggestions for making up the deficit.

The New Yorker

You're making up the grizzly bear part.

The New York Times

Africa's herds are making up the shortfall.

The Economist

I was just making up the numbers".

The Guardian - Sport

I'm not making up the story.

The New York Times - Magazine

Downloads aren't making up the shortfall.

The Guardian - Music

"We're making up the medicine now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Who's making up the obligations, number one?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making up the" to indicate compensation or replacement, be sure to specify what is being compensated for or replaced. For example: "The additional work is making up the lost time."

Common error

Avoid using "making up the" without specifying what is being made up or what the components are. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion for the reader. Provide context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making up the" primarily functions as a phrasal verb combined with an article. It is used to describe the process of forming something by combining elements or to compensate for something lacking. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making up the" is a versatile expression used to describe the composition of something, compensate for a deficiency, or invent something entirely new. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, and it's commonly found in news, science, and business settings. While using this expression, ensure clarity by specifying what is being formed or compensated for. Alternatives like "constituting the" or "comprising the" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constituting the

Focuses on the elements that form a whole, emphasizing composition.

comprising the

Similar to 'constituting the', but often used for a complete list of components.

forming the

Highlights the act of creating or shaping something into a specific form.

composing the

Emphasizes the arrangement and combination of parts into a unified structure.

offsetting the

Indicates a balancing or counteracting effect, often used in financial or environmental contexts.

replacing the

Suggests substituting one thing for another, often due to deficiency or absence.

compensating for the

Focuses on making up for a lack or deficiency, implying restoration of balance.

inventing the

Highlights the creation of something entirely new, often involving imagination or innovation.

fabricating the

Suggests creating something, often with a connotation of deception or falsehood.

dreaming up the

Implies conceiving something imaginative or fantastical, often detached from reality.

FAQs

How can I use "making up the" in a sentence?

You can use "making up the" to describe components, as in, "The elements "constituting the" team are diverse", or to indicate compensation, like, "The extra hours are "compensating for the" lost productivity".

What is the difference between "making up the" and "constituting the"?

"Making up the" can refer both to composition and compensation, while "constituting the" primarily refers to the elements that form something. For example, "These parts are "constituting the" machine." You can use the former in the situation when something is offsetting a deficit.

Is "making up the" formal or informal?

"Making up the" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the specific application. It is commonly found in news, scientific articles, and everyday conversation.

What are some alternatives to "making up the" when referring to parts of a whole?

Alternatives include "comprising the", "forming the", or "composing the", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.