make an allowance

USAGE SUMMARY

"make an allowance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of allowing someone to do something or to refer to money that is given as allowance. For example: "My parents make an allowance for me every month to help with my finances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

They ought to make an allowance for another history.

The New York Times - Books

Serious investors, he says, may make an allowance for extra security, but will be largely undeterred.

The Economist

First, we should make an allowance for Mr. Barker, who recently injured his arm.

The New York Times - Arts

Should scientists just ignore all of this or make an allowance for it?

The Guardian

They decided to make an allowance for a couple of longer entries that spoke to the universal condition of the overly demanding boss: "I may need you a week from today, keep it open.

The New Yorker

This order, reads in connection with the rules of the Massachusetts court set out at the head of the account, stating the authority of the court to allow reasonable expenses and compensation, shows that it was the intention of the probate court to make an allowance including such expenses and compensation.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

If he'd been scared by something, I might have made an allowance.

The New Yorker

Making an allowance for a teenager's high tolerance for sweets and carbohydrates, his mother, Ellen Mulkerin, cut in.

The New York Times

They estimated trading costs by looking at changes in portfolio holdings (which are revealed every quarter), checking the bid-ask spreads for the stocks concerned and making an allowance for the price impact of trades.Relying on portfolio-turnover statistics is not sufficient.

The Economist

But the government softened that rule about 20 years ago in order to attract top talent to government jobs by making an allowance that protects appointees from getting hit with an enormous tax bill for selling off securities.

Forbes

Making an allowance for age reduced the proportion of the highest priority from 32.9% to 25.8% and increased the proportion of lowest priority category from 49.5% to 55.5%.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In financial contexts, specify the amount and frequency of the "allowance" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "allowance" (a sum of money or a degree of tolerance) with "allowances" (plural), which can refer to multiple permissions or considerations. Ensure the noun form matches the intended meaning in your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an allowance" functions as a verb phrase, where "make" is the main verb and "an allowance" is the object. It indicates the act of permitting something or taking something into consideration. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English, supported by numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make an allowance" is a versatile phrase used to express consideration, tolerance, or providing resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media. Remember to be clear about what the allowance entails to prevent any misunderstandings. Consider alternatives like ""grant an exception"" or "take into consideration" to add variety to your writing, and avoid the common error of confusing "allowance" with "allowances". Whether discussing financial matters or showing leniency, mastering the usage of "make an allowance" enhances clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take into consideration

Similar to 'factor in', but may imply a more deliberate and thoughtful assessment.

factor in

Focuses on taking something into account when making a decision or calculation.

grant an exception

Focuses specifically on the act of making an exception to a rule or standard.

provide an adjustment

Emphasizes making a change or modification to accommodate specific circumstances.

give special consideration

Highlights the act of carefully thinking about and treating something with particular attention.

show leniency

Indicates a willingness to be more forgiving or merciful.

make a concession

Implies yielding or compromising on a point or demand.

exercise tolerance

Focuses on accepting or enduring something that might be considered undesirable.

offer a dispensation

Suggests a formal or official exemption from a rule or obligation.

extend grace

Suggests showing kindness and compassion beyond what is deserved.

FAQs

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

You can use "make an allowance" to indicate providing a degree of tolerance or consideration. For example, "We should "make an allowance" for his inexperience" or to refer to providing money, such as "My parents "make an allowance" for my expenses".

What's the difference between "make an allowance" and "make an exception"?

"Make an allowance" generally implies providing some leeway or special consideration within existing rules, while "make an exception" suggests deviating from the established rules entirely. Therefore, "make an exception" implies a more significant deviation.

Which is correct, "make an allowance for" or "make an allowance to"?

"Make an allowance for" is the correct and more common usage. It signifies that the allowance is provided for a specific reason or purpose, like ""make an allowance" for delays".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "make an allowance"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "give special consideration", "grant an exception", or "factor in" as alternatives to "make an allowance".