making for the

USAGE SUMMARY

In written English the phrase "making for" is correct and usable.
For example: We set off early, making for the city to avoid the morning traffic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"I know how much money I'm going to be making for the near term.

The New York Times

To top it off, their ships making for the harbor were outnumbered three to one.

The New York Times

If making for the freezer, uncover and allow to cool, then place in plastic bags.

The New York Times

On paper, the marriage made sense, besides making for the catchy Unite Here name.

The New York Times

Then Mr. Donna turned his attention to the risotto he was making for the vice president.

The New York Times - Food

She never directly takes on the case others are making for the Clintons.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

As the EU's most industrialised and populous state, with its biggest economy, Germany dominates decision-making for the eurozone.

BBC

The ever-increasing repertoire of drugs for this condition make decision-making for the individual patient complex.

European Journal of Cancer, Supplement

City Link is thought to have been loss-making for the best part of a decade.

The Guardian - Business

These are often loss-making for the banks, and hence lower overall lending.

The Economist

This represents medicine based evidence that is tuned to decision-making for the particular patient.

The American Journal of Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making for the" to clearly indicate movement or direction towards a specific location or goal. For instance, "The ship was making for the harbor" effectively conveys its destination.

Common error

Avoid using "making for the" when a simpler preposition like "towards" or "to" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making for the" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating direction or movement towards a specific location or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, indicating a clear and direct route or intention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “making for the” is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate movement or direction toward a specific destination. Ludwig AI confirms its validity across various contexts, primarily in news and media, science, and wiki sources. It carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using “making for the”, ensure it clearly conveys the intended destination, and avoid overuse to maintain a natural writing style. Alternatives like "heading towards the" or "aiming for the" can be used to vary your phrasing while retaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heading towards the

Emphasizes physical direction and movement toward a location, differing slightly in its focus on spatial orientation.

going in the direction of the

Highlights the act of moving in a specific direction, providing a more descriptive alternative.

aiming for the

Focuses on intent and purpose, suggesting a deliberate effort to reach a target.

progressing toward the

Indicates advancement and forward movement, suitable when emphasizing progress.

advancing towards the

Similar to progressing, but with a stronger connotation of active movement or initiative.

setting out for the

Emphasizes the start of a journey or endeavor, highlighting the initial action.

targeting the

Implies a specific goal or objective, with a focus on precision and intent.

intending to reach the

Clearly states the purpose or intention to arrive at a particular destination.

on the way to the

Describes the state of being en route, emphasizing the ongoing journey.

bound for the

Suggests a scheduled or predetermined route towards a destination, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "making for the" in a sentence?

Use "making for the" to indicate movement or direction toward a specific location or goal. For example, "After the meeting, she was "making for the exit"".

What are some alternatives to "making for the"?

You can use alternatives such as "heading towards the", "going in the direction of the", or "aiming for the" depending on the context.

Is "making for the" formal or informal?

"Making for the" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

When should I use "making for the" instead of "heading to"?

While both phrases indicate movement toward a destination, "making for the" often implies a more purposeful or determined movement, whereas "heading to" is more general. For example, "The protesters were "making for the city hall"" suggests a focused intent, compared to "They were heading to the city hall".