Idiom of the Day: make a difference

Quote from US president John F. Kennedy: "One person can make a difference, and everyone should try." Photo by ginnerobot.

Idiom of the Day

make a difference: to have an effect

Context

The idea of this phrase is simple: even small actions are important.  You can make a difference by 

• reading to your child
• smiling to a stranger
• volunteering
• saying "hi" to your neighbors

Example Sentences

Dalai Lama XIV

American author.

From A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway, American author.

American author.

Seneca the Younger, Roman philosopher and dramatist.

American comedian.

Jane Goodall, British scientist and anthropologist famous for her work with primates.

Note: These visual quotes were made on TheQuoteFactory.com.  The site is free to use, and the images are free to download and distribute.  There are many options to customize the quote also.

Grammar and Usage

This idiom is in the affirmative and negative sense.

Affirmative

     This idiom is often used in present tense, or after by a modal verb like: can, will, must, should, etc.
     "You can make a difference by reading to your child."  In this example, I suggest an action you can take.  

Negative

Most often, the idiom is used with the pronoun it and auxiliary verb doesn't. "It doesn't make a difference."  This is similar to: "It doesn't matter."  This means: there will not be any effect.

Make a Difference on the Internet

If you search "make a difference" on the Internet, you will find many charitable organizations.  There is one website where you can make a difference without spending your money.  FreeRice.com has free quiz games on many subjects, including English Grammar and Vocabulary.  When you answer questions correctly, rice is donated to hungry people.  FreeRice.com is operated by The United Nations World Food Programme.

Brown rice, found on Wikipedia Commons, shared by user Fir0002. (This photo is Creative Commons licensed.)

Give it a try.  You can practice your English vocabulary, and make a difference at the same time!  Share your high scores here.

Now...practice in the comments!

What are some other ways one person can make a difference?
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