make allowance for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make allowance for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to take something into consideration, such as a factor which can affect a situation or outcome. For example: "We have to make allowance for the varying levels of prior knowledge when creating the curriculum for our class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One has to make allowance for pique.

The Guardian - Books

But it will doubtless make allowance for the fact that Ethiopia has the upper hand militarily.

The Economist

Hutton believes, plausibly enough, that popular notions of fairness do make allowance for luck.

The Guardian

Uefa's financial fair play rules make allowance for infrastructure spending on capital projects like stadiums and training grounds.

The Guardian - Sport

As Kipling said: "trust yourself when all men doubt you / But make allowance for their doubting too".

The New York Times

Disliking the Anglicized system of government there, he sought to preserve the good in Maratha institutions and to make allowance for Maratha sentiment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another customer, a former police officer, had lost some of the strength in his right hand and wanted a pistol that would make allowance for that.

The New York Times

When ocean currents were first marked on charts of the open sea and when tidal streams appeared on coastal charts, navigators could make allowance for drift.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I can make allowance for those who revolt because they cannot bear our empire, or who have been forced to do so by the enemy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Rather, the syllabus went on, the states "could quite hardheadedly — and perhaps hardheartedly — hold to job-qualification requirements which do not make allowance for the disabled.

The New York Times

Mr Hunt's preferred paper does make allowance for the sickness of patients, but unrealistically perfect data would be required to make exhaustive adjustments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make allowance for", ensure the context clearly indicates what factor is being considered. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "make allowance for" without explicitly stating what needs to be considered. Vague usage can confuse readers and diminish the phrase's effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "make allowance for" functions as a verb phrase that introduces the idea of considering certain factors or circumstances that might affect an outcome or decision. This usage aligns with Ludwig's confirmation of its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make allowance for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiomatic expression that signifies the act of considering specific factors or circumstances. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is versatile and appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "make allowance for", it's important to clearly state what factors are being considered to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "take into account" and "allow for", which can be used as simpler alternatives depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow for

A shorter, more direct version of the original phrase.

take into account

Focuses on the act of considering something as a factor.

factor in

Specifically refers to including something in a calculation or plan.

consider

A more general term for thinking about something.

give consideration to

Emphasizes the act of carefully thinking about something.

bear in mind

Highlights the importance of remembering something.

make an adjustment for

Implies modifying something to accommodate a specific factor.

keep in view

Highlights maintaining something within one's awareness.

provide for

Suggests preparing or planning for a specific eventuality.

take cognizance of

A more formal way of saying 'take notice of'.

FAQs

How can I use "make allowance for" in a sentence?

Use "make allowance for" to indicate that you are considering a particular factor or circumstance. For instance, "We need to make allowance for potential delays in the project timeline."

What's a simpler way to say "make allowance for"?

You can use alternatives like "allow for" or "consider", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "make allowance for" and "take into account"?

"Make allowance for" often implies adjusting or accommodating something because of a factor, while "take into account" simply means to consider it. The distinction is subtle, but "make allowance for" suggests a more active adjustment.

When is it appropriate to use "make allowance for" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that you are not just considering something, but also adjusting your plans or expectations because of it. For example, "The budget should make allowance for unexpected expenses."