make sense
/meɪk sens/
Meaning
To be intelligible, logical, or easy to understand. In academic contexts, it is used to describe arguments, theories, or explanations that are coherent and rational. It can also mean that an action is sensible or practical under the circumstances.
Examples
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The professor's explanation of the chemical reaction finally made sense to the students.
The professor's explanation of the chemical reaction finally made sense to the students.
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It doesn't make sense to start writing the research paper before we have gathered all the data.
It doesn't make sense to start writing the research paper before we have gathered all the data.
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Does this thesis statement make sense, or should I rewrite it to be clearer?
Does this thesis statement make sense, or should I rewrite it to be clearer?
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Her argument makes sense when you consider the historical context of the period.
Her argument makes sense when you consider the historical context of the period.
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To make sense of the complex survey results, we decided to create several charts.
To make sense of the complex survey results, we decided to create several charts.
Common Mistakes
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✗ Your explanation does sense.
✓ Your explanation makes sense.
The verb 'make' must be used with 'sense'. 'Do sense' or 'have sense' are incorrect in this context.
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✗ It makes a sense to study tonight.
✓ It makes sense to study tonight.
The phrase 'make sense' is uncountable and does not take an article ('a').
Related Expressions
Practice
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That theory doesn't ___ sense if you look at the recent data.
💡 The standard verb used in this collocation.
Show answer
make
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We need to make sense ___ these complicated statistics before the presentation.
💡 The preposition that connects 'make sense' to an object.
Show answer
of