make some allowances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make some allowances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that one should be flexible or forgiving in a particular situation, often regarding expectations or rules. Example: "When evaluating the team's performance, we need to make some allowances for the challenges they faced this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 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

Inevitably, there is also the need to make some allowances for teaching style.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

We do make some allowance for statements made in live interviews, as opposed to a prepared text.

The Washington Post

(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

The White House sought to turn aside any impression that Mr. Obama would like other states to follow the example of the 14 that make some allowance for medical marijuana.

The New York Times

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make some allowances", clearly state the reason for being lenient. This provides context and justifies the adjustment, ensuring clarity and fairness in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "make some allowances" as a blanket statement without providing specific reasons. Ensure there's a valid basis for leniency to prevent misinterpretations or perceptions of unfairness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make some allowances" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of being lenient or flexible. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English when suggesting flexibility or forgiveness in a situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make some allowances" is a grammatically sound and moderately common expression used to suggest leniency or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is deemed correct and practical. It is particularly common in news and media but also appears in science and wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide clear reasons for the adjustment to maintain clarity and fairness. Alternatives include "show leniency" and "be understanding", each offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show leniency

Focuses on the act of being lenient, rather than the process of making an adjustment.

be understanding

Emphasizes empathy and comprehension in the situation.

give leeway

Suggests providing extra freedom or flexibility.

grant concessions

Implies formally agreeing to demands or adjustments.

offer some grace

Highlights extending kindness and forgiveness.

excuse some shortcomings

Directly addresses overlooking faults or deficiencies.

overlook minor issues

Specifies disregarding less important problems or details.

cut some slack

An informal way to say to not be too critical or demanding.

be more flexible

Highlights the need for adaptability.

make exceptions

Implies deviating from a standard rule or procedure.

FAQs

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

You can use "make some allowances" to suggest being flexible or understanding in a particular situation. For example, "We need to "make some allowances" for the team's inexperience."

What phrases are similar to "make some allowances"?

Alternatives include "show leniency", "be understanding", or "give leeway", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to "make an allowance" or "make some allowances"?

"Make an allowance" refers to a specific permitted amount or deviation, while "make some allowances" suggests general flexibility or understanding in various aspects of a situation.

When is it appropriate to use "make some allowances" in a professional setting?

It's appropriate when evaluating performance under unusual circumstances or when adapting to unforeseen challenges. For example, "The project was delayed, so we should "make some allowances" for the missed deadlines."