making yourself available

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making yourself available" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's willingness to be available for something. For example: "John is always making himself available to help his coworkers with their projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It demands patience, and making yourself available to do it.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead, I suggest that you help whittle things down by making yourself available to receive some belongings your elders would like to offload.

The New York Times

Accessing it has always required being close to where doctors live or travel, and on making yourself available to them in the places and during the hours in which they work.

TechCrunch

Modern security practices include: an understanding of and commitment to responsible disclosure; making yourself available and accessible to third-party security researchers; offering bug bounties; fuzzing your code; etcetera.

TechCrunch

Making yourself available to your work 24/7 exposes you to a constant barrage of stressors that prevent you from refocusing and recharging.

Huffington Post

This is why she withholds information about what's going on in her life; she is trying to claim more independence and separation, and she believes you'll force unwanted advice upon her if she tells you what she's going through, rather than making yourself available for what she needs you to do: be a calm, caring sounding board to help her learn to work through her problems.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Make yourself available to do more".

The New York Times

"So if you're going to show yourself as a clean athlete, you make yourself available.

The Guardian - Sport

The fight move: the brush-off Do not make yourself available for conversation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"When you don't make yourself available, it's difficult," Ms. Jacobson said.

The New York Times

If you make yourself available to people, they'll tell you what they think.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing availability for emotional support, consider pairing "making yourself available" with phrases like "to listen" or "to offer support" for added clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "making yourself available" too frequently, especially when it's implied. Overuse can make you appear overly eager or lacking boundaries. Instead, focus on specific actions that demonstrate your availability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making yourself available" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of becoming accessible or ready for interaction or assistance, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples. Its noun-like quality allows it to express an action as a concept.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

33%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making yourself available" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express accessibility and willingness to engage or assist. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, from personal relationships to professional settings. While the phrase is generally neutral to informal, it's crucial to avoid overuse and ensure the context aligns with the intended message. Consider alternatives like "being accessible" or "showing willingness to help" for nuanced communication. Its primary function is to convey a sense of readiness and openness, making it a valuable tool in both written and spoken English. The phrase's relative infrequency suggests a more deliberate choice of words, rather than a common colloquialism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being accessible

Focuses on the state of being easily reached or contacted.

being approachable

Emphasizes the ease with which others can interact with you.

rendering oneself obtainable

A more formal way of saying making oneself easy to get in touch with or acquire.

showing willingness to help

Highlights the readiness to provide assistance.

offering your services

Focuses on providing specific skills or assistance.

being on hand

Implies readiness to assist when needed.

making time for others

Highlights dedicating time to be available.

opening yourself up

Focuses on being open to communication and interaction.

being at someone's disposal

Suggests complete availability to someone's needs.

demonstrating readiness

Emphasizes the act of showing you are prepared and available.

FAQs

How can I use "making yourself available" in a sentence?

You can use "making yourself available" to describe being accessible or ready to help. For example, "Making yourself available to your team can improve collaboration."

What are some alternatives to "making yourself available"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "being accessible", "being approachable", or "showing willingness to help".

Is it better to say "make yourself available" or "making yourself available"?

The choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. "Make yourself available" is an imperative, while "making yourself available" is a gerund phrase that can function as a noun. For example, "Make yourself available for the meeting" vs. "Making yourself available shows dedication."

What does "making yourself available" imply in a professional context?

In a professional context, "making yourself available" often suggests a willingness to assist colleagues, be accessible for communication, and generally contribute to a collaborative work environment.