make a difference

Meaning

To have a significant effect on a person or situation, usually in a positive way. It can refer to helping society, improving a process, or changing an outcome. The tone is encouraging, inspiring, or analytical.

Examples

• Every small donation can make a difference in someone's life.

  Every small donation can make a difference in someone's life.

• Your feedback will really make a difference to our team.

  Your feedback will really make a difference to our team.

• Volunteering at the shelter is a great way to make a difference.

  Volunteering at the shelter is a great way to make a difference.

• Does it make a difference if we leave at five or six?

  Does it make a difference if we leave at five or six?

• She wanted a career where she could make a difference.

  She wanted a career where she could make a difference.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to do a difference in the world.

  ✓ I want to make a difference in the world.

  The verb collocation is always 'make,' never 'do.'

• ✗ Your help made a big difference for my project.

  ✓ Your help made a big difference to my project.

  Usually, we say 'make a difference to' something or someone, though 'in' is also common. 'For' is less natural here.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I hope my advice will ___ to your final decision.

  💡 Have a positive effect or influence.

  Show answer

  make a difference

• Recycling may seem small, but it can ___ to the environment.

  💡 Create a positive change.

  Show answer

  make a difference