make allowances for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make allowances for something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when acknowledging that certain factors or circumstances should be considered in a situation or decision. Example: "When evaluating his performance, we need to make allowances for the challenges he faced during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let alone make allowances for it.

The Guardian - Books

I said, "You know, we must make allowances for originality".

The New York Times

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

Fortunately, those criteria do make allowances for regional climate differences.

Forbes

Students couldn't count on the dean of students to make allowances for adolescent misbehavior.

Forbes

Morrow reluctantly agreed to make allowances for Slatkin's cooperation.

Los Angeles Times

Stop demanding that Silicon Valley make allowances for your limitations!

Los Angeles Times

My question: Are we going to make allowances for all the moneymaking "cancer causers"?

Huffington Post

Make allowances for the occasional bad day.

WikiHow

Make allowances for delays in deliveries.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make allowances for something", ensure the context clearly indicates what factor or circumstance is being accommodated. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "make allowances for something" as a blanket justification. Specify the exact reasons for leniency to maintain credibility and fairness in your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make allowances for something" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate that one should consider or accommodate particular factors or circumstances when making a judgment or evaluation. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make allowances for something" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that encourages consideration of specific circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in English writing. While no examples were found in the current dataset, the phrase serves to promote understanding and flexibility, particularly when evaluating a situation or individual. Suitable alternatives include "take into consideration" or "allow for", offering varied levels of formality. When using the phrase, be sure to specify the precise factors being accommodated to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow for

A shorter and more direct synonym focusing on the aspect of permitting something.

take into account

Similar to "take into consideration", but slightly less formal.

take into consideration

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of considering something carefully.

consider the circumstances

This alternative emphasizes the importance of the surrounding conditions.

factor in

This is a more concise and direct way of saying to include something in a calculation or plan.

bear in mind

This alternative is more concise and suggests keeping something in your thoughts.

give leeway to

This alternative implies providing some flexibility or freedom.

be understanding of

This focuses on empathy and acceptance of a situation.

make an exception for

This suggests deviating from a rule or standard in a particular case.

show tolerance towards

This alternative highlights the act of being patient and accepting.

FAQs

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

You can use "make allowances for something" to indicate that you are taking specific circumstances into consideration. For example, "We need to "make allowances for" the fact that he is new to the team".

What does it mean to "make allowances for" someone?

To ""make allowances for"" someone means to take into account their particular circumstances or weaknesses and not judge them too harshly as a result.

Are there any formal alternatives to "make allowances for something"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "take into consideration" or "bear in mind", which are suitable for professional or academic writing.

What is the difference between "make allowances for" and "ignore"?

"Make allowances for" implies acknowledging and accommodating a factor, while "ignore" means to disregard it completely. The former suggests understanding, whereas the latter implies a lack of consideration.