make way for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make way for something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that one should clear a path or allow space for something to happen or to be introduced. Example: "As the new policies are implemented, we must make way for something innovative in our approach to education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"He wants to put us out and make way for something else".

The New York Times

When should the tried-and-true make way for something new?

Harvard University

If your film didn't perform then they'd pull it to make way for something more profitable".

The Guardian - Film

Cut to Bremen, in northern Germany, and the suave motions of the camera make way for something choppier.

The New Yorker

Think of vinyl siding applied over an old house or siding ripped off to make way for something new.

The New York Times - Travel

Tate Britain, the original Tate, was robbed of its history and purpose to make way for something more glamorous.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Live, the spangly Starsmith-induced production makes way for something more spartan, though still, thankfully, catchy.

Independent

There are passages, too, where donnishly pointed language could have made way for something blunter.

The Guardian - Books

There are passages, too, where donnishly pointed language could have made way for something blunter.

The Guardian - Books

It stems from the turn of the decade, when the hordes of swaggering indie lads began to disperse, making way for something more brainy, ambitious and less concerned with cool.

The Guardian - Music

That formal (and, let's be honest, totally useless) blurb of the past has since made way for something new: a summary statement.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make way for something" to signal the introduction of something new or a shift from an old system to a new one. It's effective for emphasizing change and progress.

Common error

Avoid using "make way for something" when describing static situations that do not involve progression or transition. It's more suitable for dynamic contexts.

Linguistic Context

Idiomatic expression indicating the clearance of space or the removal of obstacles to allow something new to emerge or progress. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase signifies a shift or transition, enabling the introduction of an alternative or advancement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make way for something" is a versatile and commonly used idiomatic expression that indicates preparing for the introduction, acceptance, or progression of something new. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is frequently found in contexts such as news reporting and academic discussions, signalling change or progress. While it is generally appropriate for a wide range of registers, being mindful of the context will ensure correct usage. Alternatives such as "clear the path for something" or "pave the way for something" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear the path for something

Focuses on removing obstacles to allow something to advance.

pave the way for something

Suggests preparing conditions to facilitate a future event or development.

make room for something

Emphasizes creating physical or metaphorical space for something new.

give precedence to something

Highlights prioritizing something over existing elements.

yield to something

Implies surrendering or deferring to something else.

accommodate something

Focuses on adjusting or adapting to include something new.

make concessions for something

Involves compromising or granting allowances for something.

bow to something

Conveys submitting or yielding to a new force or development.

succumb to something

Indicates inevitably yielding under pressure from something.

give ground to something

Suggests reluctantly conceding space or acceptance to a new element.

FAQs

How can I use "make way for something" in a sentence?

Use "make way for something" to indicate that something is being removed or changed to allow something new to exist or happen. For example, "The old building was demolished to "make way for something new"."

What's a formal alternative to "make way for something"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "pave the way for", "give precedence to", or "facilitate the introduction of" as alternatives to "make way for something".

Is it correct to say "made way for" instead of "make way for"?

Yes, "made way for" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct when referring to a past event or action where something made it possible for something else to exist or happen.

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

"Make room for" typically refers to creating physical or metaphorical space, while "make way for something" suggests clearing a path or removing obstacles to allow something to proceed or be introduced.