make room for them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make room for them" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to creating space or accommodating someone or something. Example: "We need to make room for them at the table." Alternative expressions include "create space for them" and "accommodate them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make room for them.

The New Yorker

I say we make room for them.

The New York Times

Instead, make room for them.

Harvard Business Review

Make room for them by getting rid of "pestivals".

The New York Times

Why not make room for them in our parks with feeders and watering stations?

The New York Times

No word yet about which destinations will drop off the map to make room for them.

Independent

Or, even if they do not value them, they make room for them.

Independent

(The horses have arrived faster than she has been able to make room for them).

The New York Times

To make room for them on the roster, the MetroStars waived Jeff Matteo and Jeff Moore.

The New York Times - Sports

It's up to us to make room for them to develop as an artist".

The Guardian

They demand, often crudely, that he leave and make room for them.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In metaphorical contexts, such as emotional or intellectual growth, use this phrase to suggest openness and acceptance of new ideas or feelings.

Common error

Avoid adding the indefinite article "a" before "room" unless you are literally referring to a constructed bedroom or office. Writing "make a room for them" implies building a physical enclosure, whereas "make room for them" refers to the general concept of space or capacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make room for them" functions as a transitive phrasal construction where the verb "make" takes the noun "room" as a direct object (meaning space or capacity) and is followed by a prepositional phrase defining the beneficiary. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is highly versatile, acting as a predicate that indicates an action of accommodation or expansion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make room for them" is a cornerstone of English usage for expressing the act of creation or allocation of space. Analysis from Ludwig AI confirms its widespread acceptance across high-authority domains, ranging from The New York Times to Harvard Business Review. It is uniquely capable of transitioning between literal meanings (clearing a physical shelf) and profound metaphorical meanings (accepting difficult emotions or marginalized groups). Because it is grammatically stable and carries a positive connotation of inclusion, it remains a preferred choice for writers seeking to describe growth, adjustment and hospitality in any professional or personal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accommodate them

Uses a more formal, single verb to describe providing for needs or space.

provide room for them

A more descriptive alternative that highlights the act of supply.

create space for them

Emphasizes the active process of generating new room where it did not exist before.

make a place for them

Similar meaning but often carries a stronger sense of belonging or status.

fit them in

Suggests a tighter constraint or a scheduling context.

clear the way for them

Indicates removing obstacles so that someone can progress.

allow for them

Suggests taking something into consideration or accounting for a presence.

give them space

Often used in psychological or interpersonal contexts rather than physical volume.

step aside for them

Implies a selfless act of relinquishing one's own position to help others.

incorporate them

Focuses on integration into an existing system or group.

FAQs

How do I use "make room for them" in a professional email?

In professional settings, you can use it to discuss scheduling or resource allocation. For example, "We need to adjust our project timeline to "make room for them" in our Q3 planning".

Is "make room for them" formal enough for an essay?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. However, if you want to sound more clinical or academic, you might consider using "accommodate them" or "integrate them".

What is the difference between "make room for them" and "clear the way for them"?

While "make room for them" focuses on finding capacity or space, "clear the way for them" implies the active removal of barriers or obstructions to permit movement.

Can "room" be used metaphorically in this phrase?

Absolutely. As seen in examples from Ludwig, it is often used for abstract concepts like "emotions" or "new ideas", suggesting that one should "make space for them" in their mind or life.