making room for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making room for" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use this phrase to indicate that something is being done in order to make space for something else. For example, "We're making room for new furniture by rearranging the living room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Making room for the little guy.

Harvard University

Making room for a mystery guest later?

The Guardian

"Come in the bed," Melinda said, making room for me.

The New York Times

Here are some products that are worth making room for.

The New York Times

Making room for playful learning in school can be difficult.

Harvard University

Making room for their workers' religious needs makes business sense.

The Guardian

Now Monticello is making room for Sally Hemings.

The Washington Post

Amazon is making room for 180 new roles in Cambridge.

The Guardian - Tech

"He's making room for more formula one cars," said Myers.

The Guardian

Muslim women are making room for themselves at the table.

The Guardian - Opinion

Maybe I was making room for more burger.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making room for" when you want to convey the idea of creating space, whether physical or metaphorical, to accommodate something new or different. For instance, "The company is restructuring, making room for innovation."

Common error

Don't use "making room for" as a generic replacement for simpler verbs like "allowing" or "including" if the nuance of creating space isn't truly relevant. For example, saying "We are making room for your opinion" when you simply mean "We value your opinion" can sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making room for" functions as a verb phrase, often part of a continuous verb tense. It describes the action of creating or providing space, either literally or figuratively, to accommodate something new. Ludwig's examples show its use across various contexts, from physical space to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

28%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "making room for" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies the act of creating space, whether physical or abstract, to accommodate something new. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academia and science. The phrase carries a neutral register, making it appropriate for various communication styles. Understanding the nuances of "making room for" and its related phrases, such as "creating space for" or "providing opportunities for", can enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating space for

Focuses on the physical or abstract act of creating space, similar to "making room for".

accommodating

Implies adjusting or adapting to include something or someone.

clearing space for

Highlights the action of removing obstacles to create space.

providing opportunities for

Shifts the focus to creating chances or possibilities.

opening up possibilities for

Emphasizes the creation of new chances or potential outcomes.

paving the way for

Suggests preparing a path or making it easier for something to happen.

leaving space for

Similar to creating space, but with an emphasis on not filling up a space completely.

preparing the ground for

Analogous to preparing conditions for something to grow or develop.

building a foundation for

Focuses on establishing a base to support future developments.

laying the groundwork for

Emphasizes the initial steps taken to enable future progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "making room for" to describe the act of creating space, either physically or figuratively. For example, "The museum is "making room for" a new exhibit", or "The budget is "making room for" new investments".

What are some alternatives to "making room for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "creating space for", "accommodating", or "providing opportunities for".

Is it correct to say "make room for" instead of "making room for"?

Both "make room for" and "making room for" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Make room for" is often used as an imperative, while "making room for" is used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. For example, "Make room for the guests!" versus "We are "making room for" the guests".

What does "making room for" imply?

"Making room for" implies that an adjustment or effort is being made to include something new, whether it involves physically rearranging items or shifting priorities or thinking in an abstract way. It often suggests a proactive or intentional action.