makes room for

USAGE SUMMARY

"makes room for" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You can use it to describe when you create space for something (usually a person, thing, or idea). For example, "The company made room for new employees by expanding its office space."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Seattle makes room for creators.

The New York Times - Arts

Every "to-don't" makes room for a "to-do".

The New York Times

He makes room for the other attacking players".

The New York Times - Sports

Good self-discipline makes room for obligations to others.

The New York Times - Magazine

It makes room for an antagonistic address to the reader.

The Guardian - Books

Ms. Reilly, to her credit, makes room for both interpretations.

The New York Times - Arts

New York makes room for virtually all tastes.

The New York Times

A successful city is one that makes room for surprises.

The Guardian - Arts

It makes room for all genres, from country to gospel and even rap.

Independent

It makes room for some $600 billion in spending on a reformed health insurance system.

The Economist

Bill Pohlad's film, hopping between the time zones, makes room for extra Brians as it goes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "makes room for" when you want to express that something is being included or accommodated, often implying a conscious effort to create space or opportunity.

Common error

While versatile, "makes room for" might sound too informal in highly academic or technical writing. Consider alternatives like "accommodates" or "provides space for" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes room for" primarily functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in indicating accommodation, inclusion, or the creation of opportunities, both literally and figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "makes room for" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate accommodation, inclusion, or the creation of opportunities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable for a wide range of contexts. While frequently found in News & Media, with 70% of examples, it's essential to consider formality when writing. For academic papers and formal reports, consider alternatives like "accommodates" or "provides space for". In general use, "makes room for" is appropriate and understood to mean creating space or opportunity for something new.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allows for

Indicates permission or possibility.

provides space for

More explicit about the act of offering space, whether physical or conceptual.

leaves space for

Suggests that space is intentionally left available.

accommodates

A single word with a similar meaning, often used when referring to physical space or schedules.

creates an opportunity for

Shifts the focus to the opportunity that arises, rather than the space itself.

opens the door for

Figurative, implying that something is now possible.

clears the way for

Suggests that obstacles have been removed.

paves the way for

Similar to "clears the way", but implies a more proactive preparation.

gives precedence to

Highlights the act of prioritizing one thing over another.

makes allowances for

Implies accepting or tolerating something, often with some flexibility.

FAQs

How can I use "makes room for" in a sentence?

You can use "makes room for" to indicate that something is being accommodated or included, like in the sentence: "The new policy "makes room for" flexible working hours".

What are some alternatives to "makes room for"?

Some alternatives include "accommodates", "provides space for", or "allows for", depending on the context.

Is "makes room for" formal or informal?

"Makes room for" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for most contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "provides space for".

What's the difference between "makes room for" and "allows for"?

While similar, ""makes room for"" often implies a more active or deliberate effort to create space, whereas ""allows for"" suggests permission or possibility. For example, "The design makes room for future expansion," versus "The regulations allow for some flexibility."