make room

USAGE SUMMARY

"make room" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to ask someone to create space in a certain area, for example, "Can you make room on the floor so we have more space to dance?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We could make room.

The New York Times - Travel

Make room, hoppy IPA.

The Washington Post

That would make room".

The New York Times - Sports

Make room for them.

The New Yorker

"I make room".

The New York Times

Let's make room for it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

8. Make room for veggies.

Harvard University

I say we make room for them.

The New York Times

1. Make room for the bed.

The New York Times

Many are cancelling procedures to make room.

The Economist

This would make room for focused displays.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make room" in writing, consider the context carefully. It can refer to physical space, metaphorical opportunities, or even emotional acceptance. Ensure clarity by providing enough context to specify which type of space you mean.

Common error

Avoid using "make room" without a clear referent. For example, saying "make room for improvement" is vague. Instead, specify what changes are needed to facilitate improvement, such as "make room for open discussion to foster improvement".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "make room" is as a phrasal verb. It typically functions as an imperative, instructing someone to create physical or metaphorical space. As Ludwig AI illustrates, this phrase appears in varied contexts, such as creating physical space or opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

15%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make room" is a versatile phrasal verb, typically used to request or instruct the creation of either physical or metaphorical space. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to academic and informal settings. Although generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be appropriate for strictly professional writing. Remembering to provide clear context and avoid vague referents are crucial for effective communication. With an expert rating of 4.6, its wide adoption across various reputable sources reinforces its status as a reliable and useful phrase in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create space

Focuses on the physical action of creating space.

clear space

Emphasizes removing obstacles to create space.

free up space

Highlights the act of liberating existing space for a new purpose.

provide space

Stresses the act of supplying or offering space.

make way

Implies clearing a path or allowing passage.

accommodate

Suggests adjusting or adapting to include something or someone.

find space

Focuses on the effort to locate or discover available space.

open up space

Emphasizes expanding or revealing available space.

make an opening

Suggests creating a chance or opportunity.

leave space

Highlights reserving a specific amount of space.

FAQs

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

You can use "make room" to describe physically creating space, as in "Could you "create space" on the shelf for this book?". It can also refer to creating opportunities, such as "We need to "make opportunity" for new voices in the discussion."

What are some alternatives to using "make room"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""create space"", "provide space", or "accommodate". These alternatives offer similar meanings while varying your language.

Is it always appropriate to use "make room" in formal writing?

While "make room" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "provide space" or "accommodate" in strictly professional or academic contexts. This ensures your writing maintains a sophisticated tone.

How does "make room" differ from "make space"?

The phrases "make room" and "make space" are often interchangeable, but "make room" can sometimes imply a bit more effort or reorganization. "Make space" is generally more direct and focuses solely on the creation of an area.