until you make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "until you make" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a condition or a point in time that will be reached when a certain action is taken. Example: "You won't understand the concept fully until you make an effort to practice it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Fake it until you make it," Ms. Smith-Start said.

The New York Times

If all else fails, fake it until you make it.

The Guardian

"We come at you until you make a mistake".

The New York Times - Sports

"You don't get the commercial break until you make the change," La Russa said.

The New York Times - Sports

As she puts it in her book, "Fake it until you make it".

The New York Times

To be honest, people don't believe in you until you make it.

The Guardian - Music

Until you make it compulsory, we will be talking about this in another 10 years' time.

The Guardian - Sport

Just keep the banalities flowing until you make a date — or exchange information.

The New York Times

"You are not satisfied until you make it to Times Square, New York, no matter what".

The New York Times

Fake it until you make it, right?

Science Magazine

This is different from fake it until you make it.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "until you make" in persuasive writing, consider pairing it with a positive outcome to encourage action. For example, "Keep practicing until you make progress, and you'll see significant improvements."

Common error

While versatile, "until you make" might sound too informal in certain professional settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "prior to achieving" or "before accomplishing" in reports or presentations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "until you make" functions as a temporal conjunction, indicating the time leading up to a specific event or achievement. Ludwig shows this phrase is often used to set conditions or deadlines. It introduces a dependent clause specifying when an action can occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

35%

Huffington Post

17%

Less common in

Science & Research

3%

Vice

1%

The Guardian - Sport

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "until you make" is a versatile phrase commonly used as a temporal conjunction to set conditions or deadlines, as determined by Ludwig. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, its formality varies by context. For formal settings, consider alternatives such as "before you achieve" or "prior to accomplishing". Ludwig’s analysis highlights its prevalence in News & Media and Wiki sources, underlining its general applicability in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before you achieve

Focuses on achieving a goal as the condition to be met, rather than simply 'making' something.

prior to your creation

Highlights the act of creating something as the defining condition.

before your accomplishment

Emphasizes the successful completion of a task as the condition.

leading up to your success

Shifts the focus to the path leading to success, implying a process.

until your production

Specifically refers to the act of producing something, often in a manufacturing or creative context.

in anticipation of your build

Focuses on the expectation before constructing something, like a building or a system.

before you establish

Highlights establishing something solid and lasting as the crucial condition.

in advance of your completion

Emphasizes the time leading up to the finishing of a project or task.

prior to your assembly

Focuses on the process of putting parts together to create a whole.

until your invention

Specifically pertains to the act of inventing or devising something new.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "until you make" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you could replace "until you make" with alternatives such as "before you achieve", "prior to accomplishing", or "leading up to the completion of". These options offer a more professional tone.

What does it mean to "fake it "until you make it""?

The idiom "fake it "until you make it"" means to act confident and capable, even if you don't feel that way, with the hope that eventually, you will become genuinely confident and skilled.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "fake it until you make it"?

While "fake it until you make it" can be a helpful strategy in some situations, it's not always appropriate. It should be used cautiously and ethically, especially when dealing with tasks that require a high level of expertise or have significant consequences.

What are some alternatives to saying "wait "until you make""?

Instead of saying "wait "until you make"", consider using phrases like "hold off "before you achieve"", "postpone until you accomplish", or "delay the action until you complete". These alternatives provide a variety of ways to express the same idea with slightly different nuances.