to make possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to make possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of enabling or facilitating something to happen. Example: "The new technology was developed to make possible faster communication between devices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither will attend the ceremony they helped to make possible.

The Guardian - Sport

Surely anything we found a way to make possible was what we were destined to accomplish.

The New York Times

Newhouse School at Syracuse University to make possible the Goldring Arts Journalism program, inaugurated in 2005.

The New York Times

This union was not what world revolution was meant to make possible, thank you very much!

The New Yorker

Meeks will watch practice rounds closely, ready to make possible adjustments.

The New York Times - Sports

Yes, our descendants depend on us to make possible their existence and well-being.

The New York Times

Several intellectual currents joined to make possible the writing of systematic and ambitious literary histories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Heart monitors developed by Dr Zoll helped to make possible reliable heart surgery and heart transplants.

The Economist

Mr. Sulzberger was praised for helping to make possible the continuing coverage of books and literature.

The New York Times

All these factors, very few of them mutually exclusive, conspired to make possible skyrocketing leverage, misperceived risk, and spectacular collapse.

The New Yorker

It also confronts Cubans and their regime with the question of what kind of future they want to make possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to make possible" when you want to emphasize the act of enabling or facilitating something, especially when other factors are involved.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where "to make possible" leads to overly passive constructions. Instead, rephrase to highlight the active agent enabling the possibility. For instance, instead of "The investment was made to make possible the project's completion", consider "The investment enabled the project's completion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make possible" functions as an infinitive phrase that serves as a purpose clause or an adverbial modifier. It indicates the reason or goal behind an action or decision, aiming to enable a specific outcome or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and readily employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to make possible" functions as a purpose clause, commonly found across diverse contexts like Science, News & Media, and Encyclopedias. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While alternatives like "to enable" and "to facilitate" exist, this phrase distinctly emphasizes enablement and facilitation. The phrase's neutral to formal register makes it apt for professional, academic, and official communication. When using it, avoid passive voice to maintain clarity and impact. In summary, "to make possible" is a valuable tool for expressing the intent behind actions in varied situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to enable

This alternative provides a direct synonym with a slightly more concise expression.

to facilitate

This phrase emphasizes making a process easier or more likely to happen.

to allow for

This suggests creating conditions that permit something to occur.

to pave the way for

This idiom suggests preparing the ground for a future event or development.

to give rise to

This indicates being the cause or origin of something.

to contribute to

This suggests playing a part in bringing something about.

to set the stage for

Similar to "pave the way", this emphasizes preparation and anticipation.

to bring about

This phrase directly means to cause something to happen.

to open the door to

This idiom suggests creating an opportunity or possibility.

to clear the path for

This suggests removing obstacles to enable progress.

FAQs

How can I use "to make possible" in a sentence?

Use "to make possible" when you want to describe the act of enabling or facilitating something to happen. For example: "New technology was developed to make possible faster communication between devices."

What are some alternatives to "to make possible"?

You can use alternatives like "to enable", "to facilitate", or "to allow for" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "to make possible" and "to make feasible"?

"To make possible" generally means to enable something to happen, while "to make feasible" suggests making something practical or achievable. The subtle difference lies in the implication of practicality versus pure enablement.

When should I use "to enable" instead of "to make possible"?

While both are similar, "to enable" is more concise and direct. Use "to enable" when the focus is solely on the action of allowing something. Use "to make possible" when you want to emphasize other factors playing a part in the process.