made up for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made up for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about recovering from a loss or compensating for something that someone has done wrong. For example, "I felt terrible for yelling at my sister, but I made up for it by bringing her favorite ice cream."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hamlin made up for it.

The New York Times - Sports

They made up for lost time.

The New Yorker

They made up for it later.

The New York Times

He made up for lost time, though.

The New York Times

Yet they made up for it.

Independent

I'm made up for him.

The Guardian - Sport

Obviously, we're all made up for him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He has made up for that superbly.

The Guardian - Sport

Lindros quickly made up for his indiscretion.

The New York Times - Sports

They quickly made up for lost time.

The New York Times - Style

Camby's play made up for the misses.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made up for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being compensated for. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "made up for" when the action doesn't fully compensate for the original loss or deficiency. Instead, consider using qualifiers like "partially made up for" or "helped to make up for" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made up for" functions as a phrasal verb indicating compensation, atonement, or rectification. It signifies that something has been done to offset a previous loss, mistake, or deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made up for" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express that something has been done to compensate for a previous deficiency, loss, or mistake. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in various contexts. The phrase sees common usage across various news outlets, academic papers, and formal communication. When using "made up for", ensure that the context clarifies what is being compensated. Alternatives such as "compensated for", "atoned for", and "offset" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compensated for

Focuses on providing something to balance out a deficiency or loss.

made amends

Focuses on making reparations for a mistake or wrongdoing.

atoned for

Emphasizes making amends for a wrong or sin.

repaid

Stresses the act of giving something back, often in a literal sense.

offset

Highlights counteracting or balancing the effect of something.

rectified

Implies correcting something that is wrong or inaccurate.

amended for

Suggests improving or modifying something to correct errors or defects.

counterbalanced

Highlights the balancing of opposing forces or effects.

redressed

Focuses on setting right what is wrong or unfair.

reimbursed

Emphasizes repayment, often in a monetary context.

FAQs

How can I use "made up for" in a sentence?

You can use "made up for" to indicate compensation or atonement. For example, "He "compensated for" his mistake by working overtime".

What are some alternatives to "made up for"?

Alternatives include "compensated for", "atoned for", or "offset", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "make up for" or "made up for"?

"Made up for" is the past tense form of the phrasal verb "make up for". Use "made up for" when referring to something that has already happened, and "make up for" when discussing a future or hypothetical action.

What's the difference between "made up for" and "made amends"?

"Made up for" generally implies compensating for a loss or deficiency, while "made amends" ("made amends") specifically refers to making reparations for a wrong or offense.