Cool MateEnhance vs Make things better
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enhance
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B2verb
Make things better
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Make things better
| Enhance | Make things better | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈhɑːns/","/ɪnˈhɑːnsɪz/","/ɪnˈhɑːnst/","/ɪnˈhɑːnsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈhæns/","/ɪnˈhænsɪz/","/ɪnˈhænst/","/ɪnˈhænsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk θɪŋz ˈbɛtə//🇺🇸 //meɪk θɪŋz ˈbɛtər// |
| Meaning | To improve something and make it better. | To improve something or make it good again. |
| Example | The new software will enhance the overall performance of the computer. | We need to find ways to make things better for our community. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | considerably, dramatically, greatly, can, could, may, digitally enhanced, surgically enhanced | make things better, make life better, make the situation better, make the world better |
| Antonyms | degrade, diminish, reduce | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'enhancement' in noun form., Using 'enhance' without an object (it needs something to enhance)., Incorrectly using as a synonym for 'increase' in unrelated contexts. | Confusing 'make better' with 'do better'., Using it in negative contexts incorrectly., Omitting the object and saying just 'make better'. |
| Usage notes | Used in both professional and casual contexts. More common in writing than speaking. Avoid in informal situations where simpler words may suffice. | Use 'make things better' when discussing improvements in various contexts, such as personal situations, relationships, or projects. It’s general enough to be used in formal and informal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Enhance vs Make things better
What's the difference between Enhance and Make things better?
Enhance: To improve something and make it better. Make things better: To improve something or make it good again.
Which is more common: Enhance and Make things better?
Make things better is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Enhance: The new software will enhance the overall performance of the computer. Make things better: We need to find ways to make things better for our community.
Can I use Enhance and Make things better interchangeably?
Not always. Enhance and Make things better 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.