to make it appear

USAGE SUMMARY

'to make it appear' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: The magician waved his hand over the hat and pulled out a rabbit, to make it appear.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the Clinton Foundation did its best to make it appear as if there was.

Huffington Post

My vow of silence sought to renew the world, to make it appear before me in all its fullness.

The New Yorker

But it must also have enough flaws to make it appear human.

The Economist

"Whatever they do, they want to make it appear that it's their idea to do it".

The New York Times

He goes to great lengths to make it appear that he's not, but he really is.

The Guardian - Film

One strategy was to make it appear that Trump was just having fun at the office.

The New Yorker

Many didn't have a byline, to make it appear as if we had a staff.

The New Yorker

That's right, they sexed up something to make it appear as if something had happened that hadn't.

The Guardian - Arts

In essence, someone uses a service to make it appear that a call is coming from your phone number.

The New York Times

"I saw him sticking his legs under the bike to make it appear he was run over," Mr. Marino said.

The New York Times

But the team did splash some paint around to make it appear like the home of the Mets.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to make it appear" when you want to emphasize the act of creating a specific impression, whether truthful or deceptive. It's useful when describing strategies, manipulations, or efforts to present something in a particular way.

Common error

While "to make it appear" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "to suggest" or "to indicate" can offer a more subtle and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make it appear" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It often modifies a verb, indicating the intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used and considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

31%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to make it appear" is a versatile phrase used to express the purpose of creating a specific impression or perception. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, wiki and scientific contexts. While versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic contexts, where alternatives like "to suggest" or "to indicate" may be more appropriate. Numerous examples demonstrate its applicability in describing strategies, manipulations, or efforts to present something in a particular way. Alternatives like "to give the impression", "to create the illusion", or "to simulate" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to give the impression

Replaces "make it appear" with a more direct expression of creating a false image.

to create the illusion

Focuses on the act of generating a deceptive perception.

to give the semblance of

Emphasizes a superficial resemblance without true substance.

to feign

A more concise, verb-focused alternative indicating pretense.

to simulate

Highlights the act of imitating or replicating something's appearance.

to mimic

Implies copying or imitating something's outward form.

to fake

A more informal synonym for creating a false appearance.

to give a false front

Suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal true nature or reality.

to put on a show

Highlights the theatrical aspect of creating an artificial appearance.

to masquerade as

Implies concealing one's true identity or nature behind a false facade.

FAQs

How can I use "to make it appear" in a sentence?

You can use "to make it appear" to describe the act of creating an impression, for example: "The company altered the data "to make it appear" profitable."

What are some alternatives to "to make it appear"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to give the impression", "to create the illusion", or "to simulate".

Is "to make it appear as if" grammatically correct?

Yes, "to make it appear as if" is grammatically correct, but it can sometimes be more concise to use "to make it appear" directly. The "as if" adds a slightly more explicit comparison.

What's the difference between "to make it appear" and "to make it seem"?

"To make it appear" emphasizes the creation of a visual impression, while "to make it seem" is more general and can refer to any kind of impression, not just visual. You can consider using "to make it seem" when you want to convey that something gives a particular general impression.