to make something tangible

USAGE SUMMARY

"to make something tangible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to make something real and concrete. For example, "The artist was determined to make her vision tangible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Being able to make something tangible, whether it be in Peru or in the lab, has given me the confidence to self-identify as an engineer," he says.

Princeton University

Kristin Marshall, 15, experienced the excitement and energy of coding that the organization hopes others will see when they use their new skills to make something tangible.

The Washington Post

The two events taught Mr Gever that "the world is unstable" and it was time to pursue his dream "to make something tangible".

BBC

"After a career on Wall Street with a telephone in one hand and sitting in front of a computer and moving money around, (it's nice) to make something tangible: Something that people can taste, feel and enjoy," Parker tells China Money Network in an interview in New York.

Forbes

Learn to make something tangible.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

From flower arranging to jam making, many technology saturated people are excited to break from the incessant tweeting, facebooking and texting to slow down, take a breath and make something tangible.

Huffington Post

Foldify, a $4 iPad app, helps parents make something tangible with their children.

The New York Times - Tech

Make something tangible.

TechCrunch

The most important thing to realize when you're trying to be artistic is that art is making something tangible out of the intangible, and it is not always easy.

WikiHow

And Reyes' work has certainly been useful, both on a creative and practical level using the vast weapons junkyards to provide fodder and material for his work, making something tangible and positive come out of the wasteful detritus of Mexico's drug wars.

Vice

The carpenters, though, actually made something tangible — was that not significant?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to make something tangible", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'something' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "to make something tangible" when discussing purely conceptual or digital outcomes. It's more appropriate for physical creations or results with real-world presence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make something tangible" functions as an infinitive phrase, often acting as an adjective or adverb to describe the purpose or result of an action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes transforming an idea into something concrete.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to make something tangible" describes the process of transforming an idea or concept into a concrete, touchable form. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare in overall frequency, its use is particularly relevant in contexts related to creation, innovation, and practical application. Related phrases include "to materialize an idea" and "to give concrete form to". When writing, clarity is key: ensure the 'something' is well-defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to materialize an idea

Focuses on the act of bringing an idea into physical existence.

to create a physical object

Emphasizes the creation of something that can be physically interacted with.

to give concrete form to

Highlights the act of making something abstract into something concrete.

to render an idea concrete

Similar to giving concrete form, but with a slightly more formal tone.

to build something real

Focuses on constructing something that exists in the real world.

to produce a tangible result

Emphasizes the outcome of an action being something tangible.

to craft a tangible item

Highlights the craftsmanship involved in creating a tangible object.

to construct a real-world thing

Focuses on building or creating something that exists outside of the abstract.

to create a palpable item

Highlights the sensory aspect of being able to feel the created item.

to embody an abstract concept

Focuses on giving a physical form to something abstract.

FAQs

How can I use "to make something tangible" in a sentence?

You can use "to make something tangible" to describe turning an idea into a physical product, such as "The engineer's goal was "to make something tangible" from her designs."

What are some alternatives to "to make something tangible"?

Some alternatives include "to materialize an idea", "to create a physical object", or "to give concrete form to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "to make something tangible"?

This phrase is particularly fitting when discussing creative endeavors, engineering projects, or any situation where abstract concepts are transformed into concrete realities.

What's the difference between "to make something tangible" and "to make something real"?

While similar, "to make something tangible" specifically implies creating something that can be physically touched or experienced, whereas "to make something real" can encompass a broader range of outcomes, including non-physical manifestations.