make for
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Phrasal Verb: * To cause or result in something; to contribute to a particular outcome or situation. This is the primary meaning, indicating that an action or event leads to a specific consequence. * To move toward something; to head in the direction of something. This is a less common but still valid meaning, referring to physical movement toward a destination.
Usage Examples
- Cause/Result in:
- Open communication makes for a healthier relationship.
- His constant lateness made for a very awkward start to the meeting.
- These bright colors make for a cheerful room.
- Move toward:
- When the storm started, we made for the nearest shelter.
- The ship made for the open sea.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used to describe how qualities, actions, or circumstances combine to produce a general result or atmosphere. It is frequently used in the structure: "[Thing A] makes for [Thing B]."
- It is commonly used in the present simple tense to state a general truth or in the past simple to describe a specific outcome.
Variants and Related Words
- Make (verb): The base verb with many meanings, including to create, construct, or cause.
- Make up for (phrasal verb): To compensate for something.
- He worked overtime to make up for his mistake.
Synonyms
- Lead to: To result in.
- Result in: To cause something to happen.
- Contribute to: To help cause or bring about.
- Head for: To move toward (for the movement meaning).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Make of: To understand or interpret the meaning of.
- What do you make of his strange behavior?
- Make out: To manage to see, hear, or understand; to succeed.
- I can't make out what this letter says.
- Make up: To invent; to reconcile after an argument; to constitute.
- She made up a funny story for the children.
Verb
- cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
- I cannot work a miracle
- wreak havoc
- bring comments
- play a joke
- The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area