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⇱ make - WordReference.com English Usage


make

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈmeɪk/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/meɪk/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(māk)

Inflections of 'make' (v): (⇒ conjugate)
makes
v 3rd person singular
making
v pres p
made
v past
made
v past p
WordReference Collins English Usage © 2026
make
Make is a very common verb which is used in many different ways. The past tense and -ed participle of make is made.
performing an action
Make is most often used to say that someone performs an action. For example, if someone suggests something, you can say that they make a suggestion. If someone promises something, you can say that they make a promise.
I think that I the wrong decision.
He made a short speech.
Here is a list of common nouns that you can use with make in this way:
arrangementchoice
commentdecision
effortenquiry
journeymistake
noiseplan
pointpromise
remarksound
speechsuggestion
tourtrip
visit
What are you going to at the weekend?
You've a lot to help us.
making an object or substance
If you make an object or substance, you construct or produce it.
Asha all her own clothes.
They make furniture out of recycled plastic.
You can also say that someone makes a meal or a drink.
I some breakfast.
➜ See cook
When make is used to talk about constructing or producing something, it can have an indirect object. You say that you make someone something, or make something for them.
I'll you a drink.
She a copy her colleague.
making someone do something
If someone forces you to do something, you can say that they make you do it.
You've got to .
Mom made us clean up the mess.
Be careful
In active sentences like these, don't use a to-infinitive after make. Don't say, for example, ‘You’ve got to make him to listen'.
However, in passive sentences you must use a to-infinitive.
They for the damage.
One woman was made to wait more than an hour.
used to mean ‘be’
Make is sometimes used instead of ‘be’ to say how successful someone is in a particular job or role. For example, instead of saying ‘He will be a good prime minister’, you can say ‘He will make a good prime minister’.
You'll a great teacher.
They made a good team.
'make' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

Forum discussions with the word(s) "make" in the title:

" make " or " makes" - English Only forum
" make gains " - English Only forum
___you practice, ___mistakes you will make... - English Only forum
. . . . couldn't make Jane or herself amends for . . . . - English Only forum
... it is not the worst way to make picture. - English Only forum
... make us face new problems - English Only forum
..., which make them NOT feel ... - English Only forum
...make sure (that), if he gets released, that he now can't do... - English Only forum
...make you do something - English Only forum
...make/ will make your daily tasks easy. - English Only forum
...not dreaming about it, (that) we make things happen. - English Only forum
…so sorry to make you feel sick. Maybe you can avoid talking - English Only forum
...to form <the> plural. In English we make <a> plural by adding "s". - English Only forum
...to make choices, or risk destroying their capacity - English Only forum
...tomorrow I'll make sure I reply/have replied/replied - English Only forum
...will <have been><be> able to make... in the years 2004 and 2005. [future perfect] - English Only forum
...you <could have helped> make a bone-by-bone reproduction... - English Only forum
''make oath'' or take oath'' ? - English Only forum
''Make sure you'' - ''Make sure of'' vs ''Make sure to'' - English Only forum
''Make sure you're here!'' in American English - English Only forum
''Run'' vs ''Make it work'' - English Only forum
'Asbo' and 'chav' make dictionary - English Only forum
'Do' or 'make' a benzodiazepine withdrawal? - English Only forum
'do' or 'make' in music? - English Only forum
'Draw a distinction' versus 'make a distinction' - English Only forum
'how to make' as a question - English Only forum
'leave' or 'make' - English Only forum
'make an appointment' and 'schedule an appointment' - English Only forum
'make it down to the club' - English Only forum
'make it' vs 'make to' - English Only forum
more...
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