Make or Makes for
Which is correct:
People with closed minds make terrible leaders?
OR
People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders?
grammar
add a comment |
Which is correct:
People with closed minds make terrible leaders?
OR
People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders?
grammar
add a comment |
Which is correct:
People with closed minds make terrible leaders?
OR
People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders?
grammar
Which is correct:
People with closed minds make terrible leaders?
OR
People with closed minds makes for terrible leaders?
grammar
grammar
edited Dec 5 '14 at 5:12
bobbyalex
asked Dec 5 '14 at 5:06
bobbyalexbobbyalex
118116
118116
add a comment |
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
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.
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
add a comment |
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
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
add a comment |
Keep it simple, stupid, applies again. Have never seen a situation that needed "for" added to "make."
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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.
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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
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
add a comment |
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
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
add a comment |
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
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
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
Keep it simple, stupid, applies again. Have never seen a situation that needed "for" added to "make."
add a comment |
Keep it simple, stupid, applies again. Have never seen a situation that needed "for" added to "make."
add a comment |
Keep it simple, stupid, applies again. Have never seen a situation that needed "for" added to "make."
Keep it simple, stupid, applies again. Have never seen a situation that needed "for" added to "make."
answered 20 mins ago
Les TiversLes Tivers
34712
34712
add a comment |
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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.
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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