make a reservation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a reservation for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you need to book a place in advance for a certain event, activity, or meeting. For example, "I need to make a reservation for a table at the restaurant for tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

According to Tesla, the response to the Model S, which has pricing beginning at $49,900, has been solid: The company has more than than 10,000 reservations placed for the car (it costs $5,000 to make a reservation for the standard Model S, and $40,000 to reserve a Model S Signature), and it plans to produce and deliver 20,000 vehicles per year beginning in 2013.

TechCrunch

Get the concierge to make a reservation for you.

The Guardian - Travel

Before you leave, make a reservation for your next vacation.

The New York Times - Travel

Please make a reservation for groups of 10 or more.

Cornell University

You can also make a reservation for the grill-your-own raclette cheese experience.

The Washington Post

(If you make a reservation for dinner, the cover is waived).

The New York Times - Style

But if you can't get into the hotel, you can always make a reservation for dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

We made a reservation for dinner, packed our swimsuits and headed northeast.

The New York Times

So he made a reservation for a private room with a bath at the hostel Generator Copenhagen.

The New York Times

The general manager of the restaurant said, though, that no one had made a reservation for a large group.

The New York Times

The hotel's restaurant does not serve brunch, so I made a reservation for a noontime lunch.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning travel or attending popular events, "make a reservation for" hotels, restaurants, or activities well in advance to avoid disappointment. This ensures you have a confirmed spot and can plan your itinerary accordingly.

Common error

Avoid confusing "reservation" (booking) with "preservation" (protecting). For example, you "make a reservation for" dinner, but you support the "preservation" of historical landmarks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a reservation for" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of arranging or securing something in advance. It commonly precedes a noun indicating the item or service being reserved, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a reservation for" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the action of booking something in advance. As Ludwig demonstrates, it is versatile and appears frequently in various contexts, including news, media, and academic settings. While alternatives like "book in advance" or "schedule an appointment" exist, "make a reservation for" remains a clear and widely understood option. It's essential to distinguish it from similar-sounding words like "preservation" to avoid errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a reservation

Focuses on the result of obtaining a reservation.

book in advance

Focuses on the action of booking ahead of time, omitting the specific entity being reserved.

reserve a spot

Emphasizes reserving a place or position.

secure a booking

Highlights the act of successfully obtaining a reservation.

arrange a booking

Focuses on the act of organizing or setting up a reservation.

schedule an appointment

Implies a more formal arrangement, typically for services or meetings.

make an appointment

Similar to scheduling, but can also refer to less formal arrangements.

sign up for

Suggests a more formal registration or enrollment process.

put your name down for

An informal way to indicate adding one's name to a list for a reservation.

ensure availability

Highlights the effort to confirm that something is available.

FAQs

How do I properly use "make a reservation for" in a sentence?

Use "make a reservation for" to indicate booking a place or service in advance. For example, "I need to "make a reservation for" a rental car" or "Did you "make a reservation for" the concert tickets?"

What are some alternatives to "make a reservation for"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "book in advance", "schedule an appointment", or simply "reserve" as alternatives to "make a reservation for".

Is it more formal to say "make a booking" or "make a reservation"?

While both are acceptable, "make a reservation" is slightly more common in general usage, while "make a booking" ("make a booking") is often used in the context of travel or accommodations.

What's the difference between "reservation" and "booking"?

"Reservation" typically refers to reserving something like a table at a restaurant or a hotel room. "Booking" ("make a booking") often refers to arranging travel or accommodation, such as booking a flight or a hotel.