what makes for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what makes for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are introducing a topic or concept and asking what contributes to it. For example, "What makes for a successful marriage?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What makes for national cohesion?

The Economist

What makes for a good thriller?

The New York Times - Books

What makes for the best city bike?

The New York Times

What makes for good children's literature?

The New York Times - Books

But what makes for highly effective teachers?

The New York Times

What makes for the stress is meritocracy.

The New Yorker

And what makes for a strong idea?

The New York Times - Books

However, what makes for effective screencast design?

The Journal of Academic Librarianship

What makes for a good lab?

Trends in Genetics

What makes for college success?

The New York Times

What makes for good climate services?

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what makes for" to introduce a question about the essential qualities or contributing factors of a concept. For example, "What makes for a successful team?".

Common error

Avoid using "what makes for" when you need to describe something rather than inquire about its components. For example, don't say "This is what makes for a good day" if you mean "This is what a good day looks like."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what makes for" serves as an interrogative expression. Its primary grammatical function is to introduce a question exploring the essential elements or contributing factors that define a particular concept, outcome, or entity. Ludwig confirms this usage with multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what makes for" is a versatile interrogative expression used to explore the essential qualities or contributing factors of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As evidenced by numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it is frequently used in news media, academic discussions, and scientific inquiries. While alternatives like "what contributes to" and "what constitutes" exist, "what makes for" offers a concise and natural way to prompt explanations about the underlying components that define something. When using this phrase, ensure you are indeed inquiring about components rather than simply describing something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what contributes to

Focuses on the elements that actively add to a result, emphasizing contribution.

what constitutes

Highlights the components that form the whole, emphasizing composition.

what is essential for

Emphasizes the necessary elements, focusing on indispensability.

what determines

Focuses on the factors that decide an outcome, emphasizing influence.

what is the basis for

Explores the foundation or reason behind something, emphasizing rationale.

what underlies

Focuses on the hidden causes or reasons, emphasizing the fundamental level.

what are the drivers of

Highlights the forces that propel or motivate, emphasizing impetus.

what is responsible for

Focuses on accountability and causality, emphasizing agency.

what factors influence

Emphasizes the elements that have an effect on something, focusing on impact.

what are the key ingredients of

Focuses on the vital components, emphasizing composition and necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "what makes for" in a sentence?

Use "what makes for" to inquire about the contributing factors or essential qualities of something. For instance, "What makes for a great leader?" asks about the qualities that define effective leadership.

What's a good alternative to "what makes for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "what contributes to", "what constitutes", or "what is essential for". Each option subtly shifts the emphasis, but all explore the components of a subject.

Is it correct to say "what does make for" instead of "what makes for"?

While grammatically possible, "what does make for" is less common and adds emphasis. "What makes for" is generally more concise and natural for typical inquiries.

What's the difference between "what makes" and "what makes for"?

"What makes" is a broader question about creation or causation (e.g., "What makes you happy?"). "What makes for" specifically asks about the qualities that constitute or contribute to something (e.g., "What makes for a successful project?").