not make a dent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not make a dent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an effort or action has had little to no impact or effect on a situation. Example: "Despite working overtime, my efforts to reduce the backlog did not make a dent in the overall workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It still did not make a dent in the weekend's chaos, however.

The New York Times - Sports

Taxing soda will not make a dent in obesity, as plenty of studies conclude.

The New York Times

Her criticisms may not make a dent in the list's popularity.

The New York Times

Raising taxes strictly on the top one per cent of earners would not make a dent in the budget shortfall.

The New Yorker

Washington could not make a dent and finished third behind Wisconsin, which slipped into second near the finish.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, Wilbur's good will could not make a dent in Plath's misery: he describes himself as "a stupid lifeguard" who finds "a girl … immensely drowned".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Federal programs like model cities have not made a dent.

The New York Times

We have not made a dent in the ratio of private sector debt to GDP.

The Economist

Republicans have criticized Mr. Obama on military policy, but have not made a dent.

The New York Times

The clubs that offer more experimental fare say that Jazz at Lincoln Center has not made a dent in their business.

The New York Times - Arts

Cable companies have had trouble peeling off Netflix subscribers, and download competitors have not made a dent, either.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not make a dent", ensure the context clearly indicates what effort or action is failing to have a significant impact. Providing specific details strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "not make a dent" when a slight, though not substantial, impact is actually achieved. Instead, use phrases that acknowledge partial progress, such as "make a small difference" or "have a limited effect".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not make a dent" functions as a negative predicate, indicating the absence of a significant impact or effect. It is commonly used to express that an action or effort has failed to produce noticeable results. Ludwig's examples showcase this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not make a dent" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has had little to no impact or effect. According to Ludwig, it is widely used across various reputable sources, particularly in news and media. While it's considered grammatically "Correct" by Ludwig AI, ensure the context warrants its use, avoiding overstatement when slight progress is made. Alternatives like "have no effect" or "fail to impact" can be used for variety. When using this phrase, clarity is key, providing specific details to strengthen your statement and clearly indicating what isn't having the desired influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have no effect

Directly states the absence of any impact, simplifying the original phrase.

fail to impact

Emphasizes the failure to cause a change or influence something.

not have any influence

Highlights the lack of power to affect a situation or outcome.

prove ineffective

Focuses on the lack of effectiveness in achieving a desired result.

not create an impression

Indicates a failure to leave a noticeable mark or feeling.

leave untouched

Suggests that something remains unchanged or unaffected.

be without consequence

Emphasizes the lack of significant results or repercussions.

fall flat

Implies a lack of success or impact, often in a performance or effort.

miss the mark

Indicates a failure to achieve the intended target or goal.

not scratch the surface

Suggests only a minimal or superficial impact, without addressing the core issue.

FAQs

How can I use "not make a dent" in a sentence?

You can use "not make a dent" to describe something that has little to no impact, for example: "Despite the new regulations, they did not make a dent in the company's profits."

What are some alternatives to "not make a dent"?

Alternatives include "have no effect", "fail to impact", or "not have any influence", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not making a dent" instead of "not make a dent"?

Yes, "not making a dent" is also correct and is often used in continuous tenses or when describing an ongoing situation. For instance, "The new strategies are not making a dent in the sales figures."

What's the difference between "not make a dent" and "not scratch the surface"?

"Not scratch the surface" implies an even smaller impact than "not make a dent". While both suggest a lack of significant effect, "not scratch the surface" indicates that the effort barely touched the problem, implying the issue is far more extensive or deep-seated.