machen
A1 (Extremely High Frequency)Neutral (Used across all registers, from formal to highly informal)
Definition
Meaning
To create, construct, produce, or cause something to exist or happen.
A highly versatile verb covering creation, causation, forcing, performing actions, achieving, earning, appearing to be, and functioning as (e.g., make a friend, make trouble, make dinner, make a decision, make £50, make a good teacher). It is a delexical verb often paired with nouns to form common phrases (e.g., make a mistake, make a suggestion).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Make" is often contrasted with "do". As a broad rule, "make" implies creating, constructing, or producing a tangible or intangible result (make a cake, make a noise, make a plan), whereas "do" focuses on performing an activity or task (do homework, do the dishes, do your best). "Make" is a causative verb (make someone do something). It is also a pro-verb (e.g., 'I'll make the tea').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal core differences. Some collocations vary: BrE 'make a decision', AmE also uses 'take a decision' (more formal). In cooking, BrE 'make lunch', AmE also commonly uses 'fix lunch'. In AmE, "make it" can mean 'to succeed' more prominently ("He really made it!"). Spelling of past/participle: BrE & AmE both use 'made'.
Connotations
Generally identical. The causative use (make someone do something) can imply coercion more strongly in AmE colloquial use.
Frequency
Equally fundamental and frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
make + noun (make tea)make + noun + noun (make him captain)make + noun + adjective (make it clear)make + noun + bare infinitive (make me laugh)make + noun + past participle (make myself heard)make + for + noun (make for the exit)make + of + noun (What do you make of this?)make + out + that-clause (He made out that he was busy)make + up + noun (make up a story)make + up + for + noun (make up for lost time)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make or break”
- “make do (with)”
- “make believe”
- “make a killing”
- “make waves”
- “make your blood boil”
- “make a mountain out of a molehill”
- “make hay while the sun shines”
- “on the make”
- “make good (on a promise/threat)”
- “make the grade”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The new strategy should make a significant profit by Q4." "We need to make a decision on the merger."
Academic
"The experiment was designed to make causality clear." "The author makes a compelling argument."
Everyday
"I'll make dinner." "Don't make such a noise!" "What time do you make it?"
Technical
In engineering: "to make a prototype". In computing: "to make a backup". In law: "to make a case".
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you make us some tea, please?
- The constant rain made the journey rather miserable.
- He's not rich, but he makes a decent living.
American English
- I'm going to make pancakes for breakfast.
- Her story just doesn't make sense.
- If we hurry, we can make the 5 o'clock bus.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No common adverb form. 'Make' is not standardly used as an adverb.)
American English
- N/A (No common adverb form. 'Make' is not standardly used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- N/A (No common adjective form. 'Make' is not standardly used as an adjective.)
American English
- N/A (No common adjective form. 'Make' is not standardly used as an adjective.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I make breakfast every day.
- She made a big cake for my birthday.
- Cats make me sneeze.
- We need to make a decision by tomorrow.
- He made a lot of friends at university.
- Can you make yourself understood in Spanish?
- The scandal made a mockery of the election process.
- I can't make out what the sign says in this fog.
- She made up an elaborate excuse for being late.
- The director's latest film has made a profound statement on modern society.
- He made good on his promise to fund the research.
- They made a desperate dash for the border as night fell.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **MAKer** in a workshop. They CREATE (make) things. The word 'make' itself is short and foundational, like the basic act of creation.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS (make a plan). CAUSATION IS FORCING (make someone wait). ACHIEVING A GOAL IS ARRIVING AT A DESTINATION (make it to the finals). BECOMING IS MAKING (make a good teacher).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'делать' (do) as 'make' in contexts of general activity (e.g., 'I do yoga' NOT 'I make yoga').
- The phrase 'make friends' is fixed; do not use 'get' or 'find'.
- 'Make a photo' is incorrect; use 'take a photo'.
- Be careful with 'make' vs. 'let' (allow). 'He made me go' (forced) vs. 'He let me go' (allowed).
Common Mistakes
- *I made my homework. (Correct: I did my homework.)
- *She made a photo. (Correct: She took a photo.)
- *This makes no sense for me. (Correct: This makes no sense to me.)
- *He made me to do it. (Correct: He made me do it. - bare infinitive)
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'make' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Make' typically involves creating, producing, or constructing something (a result). 'Do' involves performing an activity, task, or duty. For example, you make a cake (you create it), but you do the baking (you perform the activity).
Both are correct but used differently. Use 'made of' when the original material is still identifiable (The table is made of wood). Use 'made from' when the material is changed and not directly recognizable (Paper is made from wood).
'Make' as a causative verb (like 'let' and 'have') is followed by an object and the bare infinitive (without 'to'). This is a fixed grammatical rule in English.
Yes, but less commonly. As a noun, it often refers to the brand or type of a manufactured product, especially cars (e.g., 'What make is your car? It's a Ford.'). It can also mean 'the way something is made' in manufacturing.