make some allowance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make some allowance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone should be flexible or understanding about a situation or a person's circumstances. Example: "When evaluating his performance, you should make some allowance for the fact that he was dealing with personal issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

(Enough people are expected to do the latter that Apple had to make some allowance in its revenues).

The Guardian - Tech

(You had to make some allowance, though, for his physical discomfort, since the gangplank stairs creaked and shook as he stepped down).

The New York Times - Arts

In fact, income growth in the first year of a president's term probably reduces his expected vote margin, perhaps because voters make some allowance at election time for the good or bad economic conditions a president has inherited.

The New York Times

The most widely quoted estimates, like those in the Dynamic Integrated Model of Climate and the Economy, known as DICE, used by Yale's William Nordhaus and colleagues, depend upon educated guesswork to place a value on the negative effects of global warming in a number of crucial areas, especially agriculture and coastal protection, then try to make some allowance for other possible repercussions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Squaring those two goals has turned out to be more difficult than Mr Paul may have reckoned.In his official budget plan, published on his Senate web page, Mr Paul aiming for wonkish seriousness is forced to make some allowance for reality.

The Economist

Perhaps there should once again be room for the U.S. to take this reality into account, to make some allowance for the distinctions between murderers and shoplifters, between serial offenders and people who make mistakes, between illegal immigrants and refugees who severed all ties with their troubled homelands.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

So make some allowances".

The New Yorker

The Domenici-Wellstone law does make some allowances for the business community's concerns.

The New York Times - Magazine

Every immigrant has a story much like Melania's, and we should hear those stories, too, and make some allowances as well.

The New Yorker

Page E1 IN BETWEEN THE CARDIGANS Boutiques, coping with the economy like everyone else, have had to make some allowances as bare space on their shelves has been more and more common.

The New York Times

The Prince and Princess play in the Metrodome of marriage environments -- everything gets magnified--and you have to make some allowances of scale if you're going to grasp how essentially similar everything that has happened to Charles and Diana is to everything that has happened to Martha and me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make some allowance", ensure the context clearly indicates what factor or circumstance requires consideration. For instance, "When grading the exam, make some allowance for students who had technical difficulties."

Common error

Avoid using "make some allowance" as a blanket excuse for poor performance or behavior without specifying legitimate reasons. Always ensure there is a valid basis for leniency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make some allowance" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It is used to express the act of considering extenuating circumstances or being flexible in judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make some allowance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey the need for flexibility or understanding in judgment or evaluation. Ludwig AI analysis of diverse sources confirms its usage across various contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both informal and professional settings. While related phrases like "take into account" or "give consideration" might offer a more formal tone, the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. Be mindful to use it in contexts where there is an actual need for flexibility and it is not used as a blanket excuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take into account

Suggests including specific factors when making an assessment or judgment.

be understanding

Emphasizes empathy and consideration for someone's situation or feelings.

show leniency

Focuses on being merciful or tolerant, especially in a position of authority.

give consideration

Directs attention to weighing factors or circumstances before making a decision.

cut some slack

An informal way to suggest giving someone a break or being less critical.

grant concessions

Implies a more formal or official agreement to allow certain exceptions or compromises.

bear in mind

Implies remembering and considering something important or relevant.

exercise tolerance

Highlights the act of enduring or accepting something undesirable without complaint.

make an exception

Refers to deviating from a general rule or standard in a specific instance.

allow for imperfection

Explicitly acknowledges and accepts the presence of flaws or shortcomings.

FAQs

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

You can use "make some allowance" to suggest being flexible or understanding about a particular situation. For example, "The teacher decided to "make some allowance" for the students who were late due to the traffic jam."

What's a more formal way to say "make some allowance"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "give consideration" or "take into account" instead of "make some allowance".

Is "make some allowance" appropriate for academic writing?

While "make some allowance" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as informal for academic writing. Consider using phrases such as "give consideration" or "factor in" for a more scholarly tone.

What is the difference between "make some allowances" and "make some allowance"?

While both are acceptable, "make some allowances" (plural) suggests multiple factors requiring consideration, whereas "make some allowance" (singular) refers to a more general need for flexibility.