making space for

USAGE SUMMARY

"making space for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when discussing the need to create room for something, or to allow something to happen. Example: I'm making space for new ideas by letting go of some of my old beliefs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr ElBaradei may think he is making space for diplomacy.

The Economist

Meanwhile, Doctor Who is making space for a new companion.

The Guardian

Subra began making space for another towering stack of papers.

The Guardian

They seem popular with policymakers (the government's latest flooding plan is called "Making space for water").

The Economist

He juxtaposed speed with stillness, making space for brief sojourns of calm.

The New York Times - Arts

They find ways of splitting the difference, living rootlessly and yet making space for roots.

The New York Times

Respect the local buskers and homeless, making space for others by playing quietly.

The Guardian - Travel

The Environment Agency's plan for protecting the UK is called Making Space for Water.

The Guardian

"If we could, we would be making space for a three-car garage".

The New York Times

The crucial thing is that England are moving defenders about and making space for themselves.

The Guardian - Sport

"I care a lot about making space for other people," he says.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "making space for", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to physical space, time, opportunities, or abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "making space for" in every situation. Sometimes, more specific verbs like "accommodate", "prioritize", or "enable" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making space for" functions as a verbal phrase, often acting as part of a larger predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of creating or allocating resources—whether physical, temporal, or abstract—to accommodate something new. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making space for" is a versatile and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, indicating the act of creating room, time, or opportunity for something. It's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, from formal to informal, and neutral in tone. Alternatives include "creating room for", "allowing room for", and "providing opportunity for". Remember to use it with clear context and consider whether more specific verbs might be appropriate. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and scientific writing, highlighting its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating room for

Focuses on the physical aspect of creating space.

allowing room for

Emphasizes permission or enablement.

providing opportunity for

Highlights the aspect of enabling possibilities.

clearing the way for

Implies removing obstacles to create space.

opening avenues for

Suggests creating new paths or possibilities.

freeing up time for

Specifically refers to making time available.

leaving leeway for

Indicates providing flexibility or margin.

permitting time for

Formal way of indicating that time is being allotted.

giving precedence to

Emphasizes prioritizing something over other things.

prioritizing

Focuses on the action of giving something higher importance or more space.

FAQs

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

You can use "making space for" to indicate creating room, time, or opportunities. For example, "We are "making space for" new employees in the office" or "I'm "making space for" personal development in my schedule".

What are some alternatives to "making space for"?

Alternatives include "creating room for", "providing opportunity for", or "freeing up time for", depending on the specific context.

Is "making space for" formal or informal?

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

What's the difference between "making space for" and "making room for"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Making room for" often implies physical space, while "making space for" can be used more broadly for time, opportunities, or abstract concepts.