Facilitate vs Make this possible
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Facilitate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Make this possible
Top 2,000 (common)
| Facilitate | Make this possible | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪts/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪd/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪts/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪd/","/fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ðɪs ˈpɒsəbl//🇺🇸 //meɪk ðɪs ˈpɑːsəbl// |
| Meaning | To make a process easier or help someone do something. | To do something that can be done. |
| Example | The new trade agreement should facilitate more rapid economic growth. | We need to make this possible for everyone to attend. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | greatly, further, be designed to, help (to) | make it possible, make this happen, make possibilities, make something possible |
| Antonyms | hinder, obstruct, impede | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'facilitate' and 'facilitator' - remember 'facilitate' is a verb., Using 'facilitate' without an object - always specify what you're making easier., Mispronouncing the word - ensure the emphasis is on the 'cil' part. | Confusing 'make' with 'do' in this context., Using 'makes' instead of 'make' for a plural subject., Not using 'this' to refer to a specific situation. |
| Usage notes | Use 'facilitate' in professional or academic settings. It sounds formal, so avoid it in casual conversations. It’s appropriate when discussing meetings, projects, or learning environments. | Use when expressing the ability or feasibility of an action. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but be careful not to sound too demanding. |
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Frequently asked questions: Facilitate vs Make this possible
What's the difference between Facilitate and Make this possible?
Facilitate: To make a process easier or help someone do something. Make this possible: To do something that can be done.
Can you show an example of each?
Facilitate: The new trade agreement should facilitate more rapid economic growth. Make this possible: We need to make this possible for everyone to attend.
Can I use Facilitate and Make this possible interchangeably?
Not always. Facilitate and Make this possible 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.