How to say “make sense” like a native speaker
Be understandable or reasonable. It can refer to an explanation you understand or a decision that seems sensible.
All phrases · Common idioms
Hear “make sense” in real speech
Clip 1 · Malcolm Gladwell
The Tipping Point I Got Wrong | Malcolm Gladwell | TED · 11:34
About this video
Malcolm Gladwell revisits an explanation of crime that he gave in The Tipping Point. He starts with his memories of moving to New York in 1993 and discusses later expectations about crime and policing.
In context
I was the one who wrote this book saying this was the greatest tactic ever in stopping crime.Now, how do I make sense of my mistake?
Well, I can give you all kinds of excuses.
Clip 2 · Adam Grant
Adam Grant: How to stop languishing and start finding flow | TED · 2:54
About this video
Adam Grant describes falling into patterns of late-night scrolling and television watching despite his own rules. He discusses languishing and contrasts passive entertainment with active involvement that can lead to flow.
In context
And --I think -- I think that naming languishing helped people make sense of some puzzling experiences.
Why even after getting vaccinated people were having trouble looking forward to the rest of the year.
Clip 3 · Malcolm Gladwell
Choice, happiness and spaghetti sauce | Malcolm Gladwell · 3:51
About this video
Malcolm Gladwell tells the story of Howard Moskowitz and his work on spaghetti sauce. He uses it to discuss choices, different preferences and what makes people happy.
In context
And he would think it through and say, "What was wrong?Why could we not make sense of this experiment with Diet Pepsi?"
And one day, he was sitting in a diner in White Plains, about to go trying to dream up some work for Nescafé.
When to use “make sense”
- Checking an explanation: “Does that make sense, or should I draw it?”
- Discussing a practical decision: “It makes sense to buy a return ticket.”
Common learner mistake
Say “It makes sense”, not “It has sense”, when an idea is logical or understandable.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “make sense”
The K meets S without an intervening vowel. Keep the final S of “sense” clear.
Related phrases
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