amends
C1Formal / Semi-formal
Definition
Meaning
Compensation or reparation given for a wrong or injury, usually in the form of an action to improve a situation.
A gesture or action to restore good relations after a fault or conflict; to make something right.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in the plural form 'amends' and in the fixed phrase 'to make amends'. It implies a proactive effort to correct a wrong, often with a sense of moral duty or social obligation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The fixed phrase 'to make amends' is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in formal or written contexts in both varieties. Carries a connotation of personal responsibility and reconciliation.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both BrE and AmE. It is a mid-to-low frequency word, typically acquired at an advanced level.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] make(s) amends (to [Person]) (for [Wrong/Act])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make amends”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in professional contexts regarding mistakes, breaches of contract, or damaged client relationships, e.g., 'The company made amends for the shipping error.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in texts on ethics, conflict resolution, or restorative justice.
Everyday
Used in personal relationships after arguments, lies, or betrayals.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He made amends for forgetting her birthday by taking her to a nice restaurant.
- After the argument, she tried to make amends.
- The manager made amends for the poor service by offering all customers a full refund.
- True friendship requires the willingness to make amends when you are wrong.
- The government's new policy was seen as an attempt to make amends for its historical neglect of the region.
- Having caused such a profound rift, mere words were insufficient to make proper amends.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AMENDS' sounds like 'a mend' – you are mending (fixing) a relationship or situation.
Conceptual Metaphor
WRONG IS A BREAK / RELATIONSHIPS ARE STRUCTURES (to make amends is to repair the break in the structure).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with singular 'amend' (исправлять, вносить поправки). 'Amends' is not a plural of 'amend' in this sense. The closest conceptual translation is 'возмещение' or 'искупление', but the phrase 'to make amends' is best translated as 'загладить вину', 'исправить положение'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a singular noun (e.g., 'an amend').
- Using incorrect verbs (e.g., 'do amends', 'give amends'). The verb is almost always 'make'.
- Confusing 'amends' with 'amendments' (legal/political changes).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'amends' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is treated as a plural noun grammatically (e.g., 'These amends are...'), but it is almost never used with a number (e.g., 'two amends') and has no singular form in this sense.
Very rarely. The fixed collocation 'to make amends' accounts for over 99% of usage. In legal or very formal contexts, 'offer amends' or 'provide amends' might appear, but 'make' is standard.
An 'apology' is a verbal expression of regret. 'Amends' involves actions taken to repair the wrong. An apology can be part of making amends, but amends go beyond just saying sorry.
Yes, the verb 'to amend' means to change or correct something, like a document or law. While conceptually related, it is used in different contexts. You 'amend' a report, but you 'make amends' for a mistake.
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