Accomplish vs Make it

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Accomplish

Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb

Make it

Top 1,000 (very common)
 AccomplishMake it
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/əˈkʌmplɪʃ/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃt/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɑːmplɪʃ/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //meɪk ɪt//🇺🇸 //meɪk ɪt//
MeaningTo successfully complete something.to succeed or achieve something
ExampleThe first part of the plan has been safely accomplished.I hope to make it to the top of the class this semester.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechverb
Collocationssuccessfully, easilymake it big, make it happen, make it to the top
Antonymsfail, neglect, abandonfail, lose, fall short
Common mistakesConfusing with 'accomplished' which is an adjective., Using 'accomplish' without an object (e.g., saying 'I accomplish.' instead of 'I accomplish my goals.').Using it without context, e.g., 'make it' without saying what is made., Confusing with 'make sure' which has a different meaning., Incorrectly conjugating the phrase for different subjects.
Usage notesUse 'accomplish' when referring to achieving goals or tasks, typically in a positive context. It may not be appropriate for casual or less formal situations where simpler words like 'do' might work better.Used to describe achieving a goal or reaching a destination. Common in both spoken and written English. Avoid in overly formal contexts.

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Accomplish
Make it

Frequently asked questions: Accomplish vs Make it

What's the difference between Accomplish and Make it?

Accomplish: To successfully complete something. Make it: to succeed or achieve something

Can you show an example of each?

Accomplish: The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished. Make it: I hope to make it to the top of the class this semester.

Can I use Accomplish and Make it interchangeably?

Not always. Accomplish and Make it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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