to make up for

USAGE SUMMARY

'to make up for' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to express the idea of making an effort to compensate for something that has been lost or taken away. For example, "She cooked an extra-large meal to make up for the fact that their dinner had been cancelled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To make up for it.

The New Yorker

All to make up for football".

The New York Times - Sports

"I tried to make up for it".

The New York Times - Sports

"We try to make up for it in other ways.

The New York Times

Resolve to make up for it with extra protesting!

The New Yorker

"He wants to make up for all of that".

Independent

The FA is trying to make up for lost decades.

Independent

"I'm trying to make up for that now," Johnson said.

The New York Times - Sports

There is a lot to make up for".

The New York Times

"We don't have the pop to make up for it".

The New York Times - Sports

There is no way to make up for this.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to make up for" when you want to express the idea of compensating for a loss, mistake, or deficiency. For example, "She worked overtime to make up for the days she missed due to illness."

Common error

The phrase "to make up for" should not be used when you mean to create something fictional or invent a story. In those cases, use "to make up" without the "for". For example, instead of saying "He made up for a story about his travels", say "He made up a story about his travels".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to make up for" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an action taken to compensate for something lacking or lost. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from rectifying mistakes to compensating for missed opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to make up for" serves as a versatile tool for expressing compensation or remediation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "compensate for" or "atone for" exist, understanding the specific context ensures the most appropriate choice. Remember, using "to make up for" conveys an intent to balance a deficit or correct a wrong, making it essential to reserve for situations where compensation is genuinely intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compensate for

A more formal alternative that emphasizes the act of balancing or offsetting something.

make amends for

Similar to "atone for", but slightly less formal and more focused on repairing a relationship or situation.

atone for

Implies making amends for a wrong or sin, adding a moral dimension.

rectify

Means to correct or set right something that is wrong or deficient.

offset

Focuses on counteracting or balancing something, often used in financial or technical contexts.

counterbalance

A more formal synonym for offset, suggesting a deliberate effort to create equilibrium.

repay

Suggests giving something back, often in a literal or financial sense.

make good on

Focuses on fulfilling a promise or obligation, repairing damage from failure.

redress

Implies correcting a wrong or injustice, often through legal or political means.

reimburse

Specifically refers to compensating someone for expenses or losses.

FAQs

How can I use "to make up for" in a sentence?

The phrase "to make up for" is used to indicate compensation or amends for something lacking or lost. For example: "I'll buy you lunch to "make up for" being late" or "He studied hard to "make up for" his poor performance on the last test".

What are some alternatives to "to make up for"?

Alternatives include "compensate for", "atone for", "make amends for", or "offset". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "make up for it"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. It's a common and idiomatic way to express the idea of compensating for something. For example: "I forgot your birthday, but I'll "make up for it" with a special gift."

What's the difference between "to make up" and "to make up for"?

"To make up" can mean to reconcile after a fight or to invent a story. "To make up for", on the other hand, specifically means to compensate for something. For example: "They decided to "to make up" after their argument", versus "I'll exercise "to make up for" eating all that cake".