make amends for

USAGE SUMMARY

"make amends for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to do something to correct a wrong that has been done. For example, "After causing a big argument with his friend, he tried to make amends by sending her an apology gift."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Business

Politics

Religion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wanted to make amends for sunday night.

The New Yorker

Washington should reciprocate and make amends for its past insensitivity.

The New York Times

Nothing can make amends for what he did.

The Guardian - Opinion

But television was soon to make amends for this betrayal.

The Guardian - Sport

It's the crime you can't make amends for.

The New York Times

How else can Britain make amends for slavery?

The Guardian

After all, "no space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused".

Independent

The president should also make amends for his failure to fight pork.

The New York Times

He repeatedly mentions the need to make amends for past mistakes.

The Economist

To care for it is to make amends for past neglect.

The New York Times - Arts

And what I tried to do is make amends for it.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make amends for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what action you are taking to correct the wrong or compensate for the harm caused. Be specific about the steps taken to demonstrate genuine remorse and a commitment to improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "make amends for" without demonstrating concrete actions. Empty apologies or promises without follow-through can undermine your credibility and make the situation worse. Always pair the phrase with tangible efforts to rectify the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make amends for" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating the action of rectifying a wrong or compensating for a mistake. This is evident in Ludwig's examples where it's used to describe efforts to correct past actions or failures. It commonly connects the actor with the action requiring correction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make amends for" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express the act of correcting a wrong or compensating for a mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It's important to use this phrase with clear and specific actions that demonstrate genuine remorse and a commitment to rectifying the situation. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, suitable for news, business, and professional contexts. When using "make amends for", ensure that your actions align with your words to maintain credibility and sincerity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make up for

Implies doing something positive to balance out a negative action or event.

compensate for

Focuses on providing something, often money, to offset a loss or harm.

atone for

Implies taking action to show remorse and seek forgiveness, often in a religious context.

recompense for

Highlights the act of repaying or compensating for a loss or service.

expiate

Suggests purification or cleansing from guilt through suffering or penance.

redress

Emphasizes setting something right after it has been wrong.

rectify the situation

Focuses on correcting a problem or undesirable situation.

set things right

A more general expression for correcting errors or injustices.

offer restitution for

Highlights the act of restoring something lost or damaged to its rightful owner.

correct the mistake

Directly addresses fixing an error or fault.

FAQs

What does "make amends for" mean?

The phrase "make amends for" means to do something to correct a wrong that you have done, or to compensate someone for harm or loss that you have caused. It implies taking action to repair damage or show remorse.

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

You can use "make amends for" by describing the specific action taken to correct a wrong. For example, "After the argument, he sent flowers to "make amends"." or "The company offered a full refund to "make amends for the inconvenience"".

What are some alternatives to "make amends for"?

Alternatives to "make amends for" include "compensate for", "atone for", "make up for", or "redress", depending on the context.

Is it always possible to "make amends for" a mistake?

While the intention to "make amends for" a mistake is always valuable, the feasibility and effectiveness depend on the nature and impact of the mistake. Some wrongs may be irreparable, but the effort to "atone" can still be meaningful.