make allowances for

USAGE SUMMARY

"make allowances for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to be understanding and forgiving of others. For example: "We should make allowances for his difficult upbringing and try to help him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They didn't make allowances for me because of my height.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And you have to make allowances for the antiquated technology.

The New York Times - Arts

Investors and regulators could, if they chose, make allowances for depressed markets.

The New York Times

But we have to make allowances for the hard of hearing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A company that sells merchandise on credit must make allowances for uncollectible accounts, which reduces profit.

The New York Times

*Colleges will make allowances for parents who are not covered in retirement programs.

The New York Times

We make allowances for confused and damaged people if they're not in positions of too much power.

The New York Times

'FAUST' Again, you have to make allowances for the pace of Jonas Kaufmann's recovery from surgery in September.

The New York Times - Arts

You don't have to make allowances for any sort of casual racism in them; there is none.

The New York Times - Books

I e-mailed the race director, Rayne R. Schnabel, to ask if she could make allowances for us.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Take care of him like you would any other dog, but make sure that you make allowances for his quirks.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make allowances for", clearly state what factors are being considered to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "make allowances for" as a blanket excuse without specifying the circumstances or reasons. Provide context to justify the exception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make allowances for" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable. It serves to introduce an element of understanding or tolerance when evaluating a situation or someone's behavior, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

21%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make allowances for" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to express understanding, leniency, or flexibility towards a particular situation or person. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, suggesting that it's appropriate when you want to be understanding and forgiving. The phrase appears frequently in news, science, and wiki contexts, reflecting a neutral to professional register. To enhance clarity in writing, it's best to clearly state the factors being considered. Alternatives such as "take into consideration", "show leniency towards", and "be understanding of" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take into consideration

Focuses on the act of acknowledging and factoring in certain aspects.

show leniency towards

Emphasizes a more forgiving or tolerant approach.

be understanding of

Highlights empathy and comprehension of someone's situation.

cut some slack

An informal way of saying to be less strict or critical.

give leeway to

Suggests providing freedom or flexibility in how someone acts.

be tolerant of

Focuses on accepting or enduring something, even if undesirable.

excuse

Suggests pardoning or overlooking a fault.

pardon

Implies a formal forgiveness of an offense.

overlook

Connotes intentionally ignoring a mistake or fault.

turn a blind eye to

Suggests deliberately ignoring something that one should address.

FAQs

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

You can use "make allowances for" to indicate being understanding or flexible toward certain circumstances. For example, "We should "make allowances for" delays due to unforeseen traffic conditions."

What does "make allowances for" mean?

"Make allowances for" means to consider something when making a judgment or decision, typically indicating understanding or leniency towards a particular situation or person.

What are some similar phrases to "make allowances for"?

Alternatives include "take into consideration", "show leniency towards", or "be understanding of".

Is it appropriate to "make allowances for" unprofessional behavior?

While it's important to "make allowances for" occasional human errors, consistently unprofessional behavior should be addressed directly rather than excused.