Make or Makes for












3















Which is correct:



People with closed minds make terrible leaders?



OR



People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders?










share|improve this question





























    3















    Which is correct:



    People with closed minds make terrible leaders?



    OR



    People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders?










    share|improve this question



























      3












      3








      3








      Which is correct:



      People with closed minds make terrible leaders?



      OR



      People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders?










      share|improve this question
















      Which is correct:



      People with closed minds make terrible leaders?



      OR



      People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders?







      grammar






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited Dec 5 '14 at 5:12







      bobbyalex

















      asked Dec 5 '14 at 5:06









      bobbyalexbobbyalex

      118116




      118116






















          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          5














          To make for is an idiom with several different meanings. In the context of this question, the approximate meaning is 'to produce', 'to represent' or 'to constitute':




          Raw earthworms make for grim eating = Raw earthworms represent an unpleasant kind of food



          Dobermans make for great guard dogs = Dobermans have the qualities needed to make them great guard dogs



          Sowing camomile in your lawn makes for very fragrant picnicking = When you sow camomile in your lawn, the result can be aromatic picnics




          People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine.



          In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent.



          'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.



          Both Patrick T. Randolph and J_LV have answered your main point correctly.






          share|improve this answer


























          • If 'Dobermans make for great guard dogs' is correct then why isn't 'People with closed minds make for terrible leaders' correct?

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:42











          • Also could you explain when to use make for vs makes for?

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:43











          • People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine. In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent. 'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.

            – Erik Kowal
            Dec 5 '14 at 6:29













          • Erik, if you would add the contents of your last comment to your answer, it would really round it out. Plus, I would have an answer I can accept :)

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 6 '14 at 3:12











          • As you wish... :)

            – Erik Kowal
            Dec 6 '14 at 3:23



















          2














          The correct answer is "People with closed minds make" because the subject verb agreement
          is a plural + plural structure. Does that help?



          "People with closed minds" = plural



          "Make" = used for plural nouns; i.e., "People make ~."



          "Makes" is for third person singular = he/she/it






          share|improve this answer





















          • 1





            What is wrong with this answer? It's clear and concise.

            – Patrick T. Randolph
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:23











          • Someone seems to be on a 'downvoting' spree.

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:32











          • I'm not the downvoter. But one problem with this answer is that, while correcting the OPs sentences, it doesn't explain the difference between "make" and "make for".

            – Peter Shor
            Dec 6 '14 at 3:26



















          0














          Keep it simple, stupid, applies again. Have never seen a situation that needed "for" added to "make."






          share|improve this answer































            -1














            The first one is correct assuming "xxxxx" contains a noun and that you're trying to go for something like:




            Narrow-minded people make terrible dads.







            share|improve this answer


























            • updated it to include the missing word.

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:12











            • It wasn't me....

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:30











            Your Answer








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            4 Answers
            4






            active

            oldest

            votes








            4 Answers
            4






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            5














            To make for is an idiom with several different meanings. In the context of this question, the approximate meaning is 'to produce', 'to represent' or 'to constitute':




            Raw earthworms make for grim eating = Raw earthworms represent an unpleasant kind of food



            Dobermans make for great guard dogs = Dobermans have the qualities needed to make them great guard dogs



            Sowing camomile in your lawn makes for very fragrant picnicking = When you sow camomile in your lawn, the result can be aromatic picnics




            People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine.



            In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent.



            'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.



            Both Patrick T. Randolph and J_LV have answered your main point correctly.






            share|improve this answer


























            • If 'Dobermans make for great guard dogs' is correct then why isn't 'People with closed minds make for terrible leaders' correct?

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:42











            • Also could you explain when to use make for vs makes for?

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:43











            • People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine. In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent. 'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.

              – Erik Kowal
              Dec 5 '14 at 6:29













            • Erik, if you would add the contents of your last comment to your answer, it would really round it out. Plus, I would have an answer I can accept :)

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:12











            • As you wish... :)

              – Erik Kowal
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:23
















            5














            To make for is an idiom with several different meanings. In the context of this question, the approximate meaning is 'to produce', 'to represent' or 'to constitute':




            Raw earthworms make for grim eating = Raw earthworms represent an unpleasant kind of food



            Dobermans make for great guard dogs = Dobermans have the qualities needed to make them great guard dogs



            Sowing camomile in your lawn makes for very fragrant picnicking = When you sow camomile in your lawn, the result can be aromatic picnics




            People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine.



            In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent.



            'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.



            Both Patrick T. Randolph and J_LV have answered your main point correctly.






            share|improve this answer


























            • If 'Dobermans make for great guard dogs' is correct then why isn't 'People with closed minds make for terrible leaders' correct?

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:42











            • Also could you explain when to use make for vs makes for?

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:43











            • People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine. In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent. 'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.

              – Erik Kowal
              Dec 5 '14 at 6:29













            • Erik, if you would add the contents of your last comment to your answer, it would really round it out. Plus, I would have an answer I can accept :)

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:12











            • As you wish... :)

              – Erik Kowal
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:23














            5












            5








            5







            To make for is an idiom with several different meanings. In the context of this question, the approximate meaning is 'to produce', 'to represent' or 'to constitute':




            Raw earthworms make for grim eating = Raw earthworms represent an unpleasant kind of food



            Dobermans make for great guard dogs = Dobermans have the qualities needed to make them great guard dogs



            Sowing camomile in your lawn makes for very fragrant picnicking = When you sow camomile in your lawn, the result can be aromatic picnics




            People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine.



            In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent.



            'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.



            Both Patrick T. Randolph and J_LV have answered your main point correctly.






            share|improve this answer















            To make for is an idiom with several different meanings. In the context of this question, the approximate meaning is 'to produce', 'to represent' or 'to constitute':




            Raw earthworms make for grim eating = Raw earthworms represent an unpleasant kind of food



            Dobermans make for great guard dogs = Dobermans have the qualities needed to make them great guard dogs



            Sowing camomile in your lawn makes for very fragrant picnicking = When you sow camomile in your lawn, the result can be aromatic picnics




            People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine.



            In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent.



            'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.



            Both Patrick T. Randolph and J_LV have answered your main point correctly.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Dec 6 '14 at 3:22

























            answered Dec 5 '14 at 5:38









            Erik KowalErik Kowal

            25.5k13885




            25.5k13885













            • If 'Dobermans make for great guard dogs' is correct then why isn't 'People with closed minds make for terrible leaders' correct?

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:42











            • Also could you explain when to use make for vs makes for?

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:43











            • People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine. In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent. 'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.

              – Erik Kowal
              Dec 5 '14 at 6:29













            • Erik, if you would add the contents of your last comment to your answer, it would really round it out. Plus, I would have an answer I can accept :)

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:12











            • As you wish... :)

              – Erik Kowal
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:23



















            • If 'Dobermans make for great guard dogs' is correct then why isn't 'People with closed minds make for terrible leaders' correct?

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:42











            • Also could you explain when to use make for vs makes for?

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:43











            • People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine. In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent. 'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.

              – Erik Kowal
              Dec 5 '14 at 6:29













            • Erik, if you would add the contents of your last comment to your answer, it would really round it out. Plus, I would have an answer I can accept :)

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:12











            • As you wish... :)

              – Erik Kowal
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:23

















            If 'Dobermans make for great guard dogs' is correct then why isn't 'People with closed minds make for terrible leaders' correct?

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:42





            If 'Dobermans make for great guard dogs' is correct then why isn't 'People with closed minds make for terrible leaders' correct?

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:42













            Also could you explain when to use make for vs makes for?

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:43





            Also could you explain when to use make for vs makes for?

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:43













            People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine. In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent. 'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.

            – Erik Kowal
            Dec 5 '14 at 6:29







            People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders is incorrect because the wrong form of 'makes' is used (it doesn't agree in number with 'people'); People with closed minds make for terrible leaders is fine. In the context of the kind of situation you asked about, as well as in the first two of my examples, 'make' and 'make for' are pretty much equivalent. 'Make for' is slightly more colloquial/conversational. It is also the form that works when you introduce a statement with a verb in the present progressive tense, as in my 'camomile' example.

            – Erik Kowal
            Dec 5 '14 at 6:29















            Erik, if you would add the contents of your last comment to your answer, it would really round it out. Plus, I would have an answer I can accept :)

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 6 '14 at 3:12





            Erik, if you would add the contents of your last comment to your answer, it would really round it out. Plus, I would have an answer I can accept :)

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 6 '14 at 3:12













            As you wish... :)

            – Erik Kowal
            Dec 6 '14 at 3:23





            As you wish... :)

            – Erik Kowal
            Dec 6 '14 at 3:23













            2














            The correct answer is "People with closed minds make" because the subject verb agreement
            is a plural + plural structure. Does that help?



            "People with closed minds" = plural



            "Make" = used for plural nouns; i.e., "People make ~."



            "Makes" is for third person singular = he/she/it






            share|improve this answer





















            • 1





              What is wrong with this answer? It's clear and concise.

              – Patrick T. Randolph
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:23











            • Someone seems to be on a 'downvoting' spree.

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:32











            • I'm not the downvoter. But one problem with this answer is that, while correcting the OPs sentences, it doesn't explain the difference between "make" and "make for".

              – Peter Shor
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:26
















            2














            The correct answer is "People with closed minds make" because the subject verb agreement
            is a plural + plural structure. Does that help?



            "People with closed minds" = plural



            "Make" = used for plural nouns; i.e., "People make ~."



            "Makes" is for third person singular = he/she/it






            share|improve this answer





















            • 1





              What is wrong with this answer? It's clear and concise.

              – Patrick T. Randolph
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:23











            • Someone seems to be on a 'downvoting' spree.

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:32











            • I'm not the downvoter. But one problem with this answer is that, while correcting the OPs sentences, it doesn't explain the difference between "make" and "make for".

              – Peter Shor
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:26














            2












            2








            2







            The correct answer is "People with closed minds make" because the subject verb agreement
            is a plural + plural structure. Does that help?



            "People with closed minds" = plural



            "Make" = used for plural nouns; i.e., "People make ~."



            "Makes" is for third person singular = he/she/it






            share|improve this answer















            The correct answer is "People with closed minds make" because the subject verb agreement
            is a plural + plural structure. Does that help?



            "People with closed minds" = plural



            "Make" = used for plural nouns; i.e., "People make ~."



            "Makes" is for third person singular = he/she/it







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Dec 5 '14 at 5:26

























            answered Dec 5 '14 at 5:11









            Patrick T. RandolphPatrick T. Randolph

            1,26911223




            1,26911223








            • 1





              What is wrong with this answer? It's clear and concise.

              – Patrick T. Randolph
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:23











            • Someone seems to be on a 'downvoting' spree.

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:32











            • I'm not the downvoter. But one problem with this answer is that, while correcting the OPs sentences, it doesn't explain the difference between "make" and "make for".

              – Peter Shor
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:26














            • 1





              What is wrong with this answer? It's clear and concise.

              – Patrick T. Randolph
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:23











            • Someone seems to be on a 'downvoting' spree.

              – bobbyalex
              Dec 5 '14 at 5:32











            • I'm not the downvoter. But one problem with this answer is that, while correcting the OPs sentences, it doesn't explain the difference between "make" and "make for".

              – Peter Shor
              Dec 6 '14 at 3:26








            1




            1





            What is wrong with this answer? It's clear and concise.

            – Patrick T. Randolph
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:23





            What is wrong with this answer? It's clear and concise.

            – Patrick T. Randolph
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:23













            Someone seems to be on a 'downvoting' spree.

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:32





            Someone seems to be on a 'downvoting' spree.

            – bobbyalex
            Dec 5 '14 at 5:32













            I'm not the downvoter. But one problem with this answer is that, while correcting the OPs sentences, it doesn't explain the difference between "make" and "make for".

            – Peter Shor
            Dec 6 '14 at 3:26





            I'm not the downvoter. But one problem with this answer is that, while correcting the OPs sentences, it doesn't explain the difference between "make" and "make for".

            – Peter Shor
            Dec 6 '14 at 3:26











            0














            Keep it simple, stupid, applies again. Have never seen a situation that needed "for" added to "make."






            share|improve this answer




























              0














              Keep it simple, stupid, applies again. Have never seen a situation that needed "for" added to "make."






              share|improve this answer


























                0












                0








                0







                Keep it simple, stupid, applies again. Have never seen a situation that needed "for" added to "make."






                share|improve this answer













                Keep it simple, stupid, applies again. Have never seen a situation that needed "for" added to "make."







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered 20 mins ago









                Les TiversLes Tivers

                34712




                34712























                    -1














                    The first one is correct assuming "xxxxx" contains a noun and that you're trying to go for something like:




                    Narrow-minded people make terrible dads.







                    share|improve this answer


























                    • updated it to include the missing word.

                      – bobbyalex
                      Dec 5 '14 at 5:12











                    • It wasn't me....

                      – bobbyalex
                      Dec 5 '14 at 5:30
















                    -1














                    The first one is correct assuming "xxxxx" contains a noun and that you're trying to go for something like:




                    Narrow-minded people make terrible dads.







                    share|improve this answer


























                    • updated it to include the missing word.

                      – bobbyalex
                      Dec 5 '14 at 5:12











                    • It wasn't me....

                      – bobbyalex
                      Dec 5 '14 at 5:30














                    -1












                    -1








                    -1







                    The first one is correct assuming "xxxxx" contains a noun and that you're trying to go for something like:




                    Narrow-minded people make terrible dads.







                    share|improve this answer















                    The first one is correct assuming "xxxxx" contains a noun and that you're trying to go for something like:




                    Narrow-minded people make terrible dads.








                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited Dec 5 '14 at 5:25

























                    answered Dec 5 '14 at 5:11









                    J_LVJ_LV

                    882411




                    882411













                    • updated it to include the missing word.

                      – bobbyalex
                      Dec 5 '14 at 5:12











                    • It wasn't me....

                      – bobbyalex
                      Dec 5 '14 at 5:30



















                    • updated it to include the missing word.

                      – bobbyalex
                      Dec 5 '14 at 5:12











                    • It wasn't me....

                      – bobbyalex
                      Dec 5 '14 at 5:30

















                    updated it to include the missing word.

                    – bobbyalex
                    Dec 5 '14 at 5:12





                    updated it to include the missing word.

                    – bobbyalex
                    Dec 5 '14 at 5:12













                    It wasn't me....

                    – bobbyalex
                    Dec 5 '14 at 5:30





                    It wasn't me....

                    – bobbyalex
                    Dec 5 '14 at 5:30


















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