make for

USAGE SUMMARY

"make for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to talk about an action that helps or creates a certain result. For example, "The strong wind made for a difficult journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Doesn't make for reliability".

The New Yorker

"They make for good parties".

The New York Times

They make for chirpy reading.

The Economist

Do intimate relationships make for better music?

The New York Times

It would make for bloody chaos".

The New Yorker

Which could make for some productive tension.

The New York Times - Arts

"You heighten things to make for drama".

The New York Times

That can make for a difficult transition.

The New York Times

Tiny heads make for tiny targets.

The New Yorker

Together they make for something much worse.

The Economist

This can make for fascinating reading.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make for" to indicate a tendency or contribution towards a specific outcome or direction. For example, "These efforts make for a more sustainable future."

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "make for" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise vocabulary might be more appropriate. Consider stronger verbs like "ensure", "guarantee", or "facilitate" for enhanced clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make for" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It has two main uses: indicating movement towards a location, as in "They make for the hills", and suggesting a contribution or tendency towards a particular outcome, as seen in Ludwig's AI examples such as "Tiny heads make for tiny targets."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make for" is a versatile expression used to indicate movement towards a location or to suggest that something contributes to a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, more formal contexts might benefit from more precise vocabulary. Consider alternatives like "contribute to" or "lead to" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead to

Emphasizes the sequential nature of events, where one action results in another.

result in

Highlights the consequence or outcome of an action.

contribute to

Focuses on the aspect of adding to a result, rather than directly causing it.

give rise to

Emphasizes the creation or emergence of something as a result.

head towards

Specifically indicates movement in a particular direction, both literally and figuratively.

move toward

Similar to "head towards", but with a slightly broader implication of progress.

be conducive to

Suggests that something creates favorable conditions for a specific outcome.

cause

A more direct and simple way to express the act of making something happen.

promote

Implies active encouragement or support toward a particular result.

generate

Focuses on the creation or production of something tangible or intangible.

FAQs

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

"Make for" can be used to indicate movement towards a location or to describe how something contributes to a particular outcome. For example, "They decided to make for the coast" or "These policies make for a better economy".

What's the difference between "make for" and "head towards"?

"Make for" can imply either moving in a direction or contributing to a result, while "head towards" primarily indicates physical movement in a specific direction.

Are there situations where "lead to" is a better choice than "make for"?

Yes, "lead to" is often preferred when emphasizing a direct cause-and-effect relationship. For instance, "Poor planning can lead to project failure", whereas "make for" suggests a contribution or tendency.

What are some alternatives to "make for" when describing something contributing to an outcome?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "contribute to", "result in", or "give rise to".