to make some amends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to make some amends" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of correcting a mistake or making up for a wrongdoing. Example: "After realizing the hurt he caused, he decided to make some amends with his friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In 1828, two years after Hastings's death, members of the India House, to make some amends for their vote of censure, gave £20,000 to trustees for the benefit of Hastings's son.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The idea was suggested by McAlpine's lawyer, Andrew Reid of the law firm RMPI, as an opportunity to make some amends, Monbiot said in a statement released on Tuesday.

The Guardian

But the legend has cancer and he reckons to make some amends at last (as well as find some diversion) by going up against three bad guys (they are, notably, TV western actors -- Richard Boone, Hugh O'Brian and Bill McKinney).

The New York Times

From next Saturday, though, the government will get a chance to make some amends, when it returns as a long distance train operator for the first time since privatisation in the mid-90s.

The Guardian

New England now have a chance to further spoil the Dynamo's play-off run in their next game, while Philadelphia will at least have the chance to make some amends to the team they beat on Sunday, when they play their rivals Columbus.

The Guardian - Sport

He could have said that the dead body of Sean Hoare, who was the first person to speak out about the phone hacking at the News of the World, and who hoped to make some amends for the wrongs he thought he'd done, was a reminder that nice people get sucked into bad systems, and that the answer to bad systems isn't always to close the places they're found in down.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

By the end of March, Citigroup had agreed to make some financial amends to investors in the funds.

The New York Times

Now there is one final chance to make some small amends for what had become an annus horribilis.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Sang said he is publicizing his complaint to put pressure on the group to make some sort of amends.

The New York Times

The tourists were thrashed 4-0 in the Test series, losing their world number one ranking in the process, but the World Cup winners now have a chance to make some sort of amends in the shorter form of the game, starting with Wednesday's Twenty20 clash , and then a five-match one-day international series beginning on Saturday.

BBC

But Uxbal does not do this, and is told merely to make some kind of spiritual amends to the dead, which is frankly getting off pretty lightly.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to make some amends", ensure the context clearly indicates what the amends are for. Specify the actions taken to rectify the situation for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to make some amends" without specifying the actions taken. Ensure your audience understands the concrete steps being taken to correct the wrong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make some amends" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. Ludwig AI indicates its proper use in contexts where actions are taken to correct a wrong or error.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to make some amends" is a grammatically correct and generally accepted way to describe the act of rectifying a wrong or offering compensation. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples drawn primarily from news and media sources. While it doesn't appear with very high frequency, the phrase is versatile enough for both neutral and, at times, formal contexts. Alternatives like "to offer restitution" or "to atone for wrongdoing" may suit more formal settings. Ensure clarity by specifying what the amends entail, and you’ll be using the phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to offer restitution

This alternative focuses on providing compensation for a loss or damage.

to atone for wrongdoing

This emphasizes the act of making up for something bad that was done.

to make reparations

Similar to restitution, this suggests repairing the damage caused.

to do penance

This implies taking actions to show remorse and seek forgiveness.

to redress grievances

This focuses on correcting something that is unfair or wrong.

to set things right

A more general phrase indicating an effort to correct a situation.

to compensate for errors

This highlights providing compensation for mistakes made.

to rectify mistakes

Focuses on correcting errors or inaccuracies.

to give satisfaction

This implies making amends to create a feeling of being satisfied.

to correct the situation

A broader phrase focused on improving a problematic situation.

FAQs

How can I use "to make some amends" in a sentence?

You can use "to make some amends" to indicate an effort to correct a mistake or wrongdoing, as in "After realizing his error, he sought to make some amends by apologizing and offering compensation."

What's a more formal way to say "to make some amends"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "to offer restitution" or "to atone for wrongdoing", which carry a stronger sense of formality.

Is "to make some amends" always related to serious wrongdoings?

While it can refer to serious matters, "to make some amends" can also apply to minor errors or oversights where someone wants to rectify a situation and restore goodwill.

What's the difference between "to make some amends" and "to apologize"?

While apologizing involves expressing regret, "to make some amends" implies taking concrete actions to correct the harm caused. You can apologize without making amends, but making amends typically involves more than just words.