make way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make way" is correct and usable in written English.
Make way is an idiom meaning to clear a path for someone or something. Example: The crowd made way for the bride as she arrived.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

■"Make way for tomorrow".

The New York Times

Make way, wagyu.

The New York Times

Make way for the old!

The New Yorker

"Make way, make way," he said.

The New Yorker

Make way, please".

The New York Times - Sports

"Make way for Jesus!

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Made way too many errors.

The New York Times - Sports

Mateo Kovacic makes way.

The Guardian - Sport

Both made way.

The Guardian - Sport

Judd makes way more money than me.

Independent

McClean, Chester and Rickie Lambert made way.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make way" when you want to emphasize the need for others to physically move or yield to something important. It's often used when announcing something significant is coming.

Common error

Avoid using "make way" when a more appropriate term like "pave the way" or "contribute to" is more fitting. "Make way" implies a physical or immediate yielding, not just a future contribution.

Linguistic Context

Imperative or declarative phrase. "Make way" functions either as an instruction to clear a path or as a statement indicating that something is clearing a path. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make way" is a versatile expression, predominantly used to instruct someone to clear a path or to announce the advent of something significant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, with academia also providing substantial examples. Although usable in a variety of situations, it's important to be mindful of the register. While it can be informal as a direct command, it often takes on a more formal tone in metaphorical usages. Understanding its purpose and function helps writers employ "make way" effectively, whether clearing a physical path or heralding a new era.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give way

Emphasizes yielding or surrendering precedence.

stand aside

A direct instruction to move out of the way.

clear the path

Highlights the act of removing obstacles.

step aside

Similar to "stand aside", but can also imply a temporary removal.

yield

A more formal term for giving precedence.

make room

Focuses on creating physical space.

give precedence

A formal way of saying to allow something to go first.

move aside

A simple instruction to move out of the current position.

open a path

Suggests actively creating a route.

make an opening

Indicates the creation of a space or opportunity.

FAQs

How to use "make way" in a sentence?

You can use "make way" to instruct people to physically move aside, such as "Make way, the parade is starting!". It can also be used metaphorically to indicate something new is coming, like "Make way for the next generation of leaders".

What can I say instead of "make way"?

You can use alternatives like "give way", "stand aside", or "clear the path" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "make way" or "makes way"?

"Make way" is the base form, used for instructions or general statements. "Makes way" is used in the third-person singular present tense, such as "The new policy makes way for innovation".

What's the difference between "make way" and "pave the way"?

"Make way" implies a more immediate and direct clearing of space, while "pave the way" suggests a longer-term preparation or setting the stage for something.