he makes for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he makes for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is heading towards a particular place or is suitable for a specific purpose. Example: "He makes for a great leader with his strong communication skills and empathy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And he makes for a charming sermonizer.

The New York Times - Arts

He makes for an interesting and occasionally odd subject.

The Economist

He makes for a mesmeric, sexually charged Emcee.

Independent

He makes for his ranch in Crawford, Tex., a town with no bars and five churches.

The New York Times

"The solution he makes for Chelsea has required him to do some tinkering.

The New York Times

The plays he makes for a 19-year-old hockey player are beyond his years".

The New York Times - Sports

The case he makes for a "flexible euro" needs more detail in order to convince.

The Guardian - Books

The difficulties he makes for himself are essential to the outcome.

The Guardian

Morris's originality as visionary thinker lies in the case he makes for the centrality of art.

The Guardian - Books

Nearby are scraps and props for models he makes for the sake of drawing dinosaurs.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He made for the D.K.E.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he makes for" to suggest someone is moving toward a specific location or that someone or something is suitable for a particular role or purpose. For example, "He makes for a charming sermonizer".

Common error

Avoid using "he makes for" when you simply mean 'he is' or 'he does'. The phrase implies a sense of direction or aptitude, not just existence or action. For example, instead of saying 'He makes for a teacher', consider 'He is a teacher' or 'He is suited to be a teacher'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he makes for" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating movement towards a location or suitability for a role. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound. Examples include "He makes for his ranch" (movement) and "He makes for a charming sermonizer" (suitability).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he makes for" is a versatile verb phrase indicating movement toward a place or suitability for a role. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the phrase enjoys widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, careful attention should be paid to ensure it's used to accurately convey direction or aptitude, and not simply as a substitute for 'he is' or 'he does'. Consider alternatives such as "he is suited to" or "he aims for" depending on the intended meaning. The phrase appears frequently in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he aims for

Indicates a direction or goal, similar to moving towards something.

he is heading towards

Emphasizes the act of moving in a specific direction.

he goes towards

Simple and direct way of expressing movement in a direction.

he is suited to

Focuses on appropriateness or qualification for a role or purpose.

he is traveling to

Focuses on the act of traveling to a destination.

he is designed for

Highlights the intended purpose or function.

he creates

Highlights the act of producing or developing something.

he manufactures

Suggests a more formal or industrial creation process.

he builds

Emphasizes the construction or establishment of something.

he provides

Indicates supplying or furnishing something needed.

FAQs

How can I use "he makes for" in a sentence?

Use "he makes for" to indicate someone is heading toward a place, like "He makes for his ranch", or to suggest someone is suitable for something, such as "He makes for a good leader".

What does "he makes for" mean?

The phrase "he makes for" can mean that someone is moving in the direction of a place or that someone has the qualities to be something, like a leader or friend. Context is key to understanding the precise meaning.

What are some alternatives to "he makes for" when describing someone's suitability?

When describing someone's suitability, you can use alternatives like "he is suited to", "he is cut out for", or "he is well suited for" depending on the context.

Is "he makes for" formal or informal?

The phrase "he makes for" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in written English than in casual conversation.