- Have you ever wondered why we “make a mistake” but “do homework”?
- Do you find yourself hesitating between “make” and “do” when trying to express a new idea?
- Are you ready to sound more like a native speaker by mastering one of English’s most versatile verbs?
Mastering Make Collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. Collocations are words that naturally “fit” together in the minds of native speakers. Using the wrong combination—like saying “do a decision” instead of “make a decision”—won’t necessarily stop people from understanding you, but it can sound unnatural and increase your “Language Anxiety.” This guide focuses on modern, 2024-standard English to help you communicate with precision and confidence.
Common Collocations with MAKE as a Verb
In most contexts, “make” as a verb refers to the act of creating, producing, or causing something to happen. Unlike “do,” which focuses on the process of an activity, “make” usually focuses on the result or the outcome.
1. Decisions, Plans, and Progress
- Make a decision: To choose between options. (Example: I need to make a decision about which car to buy.)
- Make a choice: Similar to a decision, often used for smaller options. (Example: You have to make a choice between the red or the blue shirt.)
- Make a plan: To organize future actions. (Example: Let’s make a plan for the weekend.)
- Make progress: To improve or move forward. (Example: You are making great progress with your English studies!)
- Make an exception: To allow something that is usually not allowed. (Example: I don’t usually lend money, but I’ll make an exception for you.)
2. Communication and Interaction
- Make a phone call: To use a telephone to speak to someone. (Example: Excuse me, I need to make a quick phone call.)
- Make a suggestion: To offer an idea. (Example: May I make a suggestion regarding the project?)
- Make a point: To express an important idea. (Example: She made a good point during the meeting.)
- Make a complaint: To say you are unhappy with a service or product. (Example: I’d like to make a complaint about the cold food.)
- Make a joke: To say something funny. (Example: He made a joke to ease the tension in the room.)
3. Money and Career
- Make a living: To earn enough money to survive. (Example: It’s hard to make a living as a freelance artist.)
- Make a profit: To earn more money than you spent. (Example: The company made a huge profit this year.)
- Make a fortune: To earn a very large amount of money. (Example: He made a fortune in the tech industry.)
- Make an appointment: To schedule a formal meeting. (Example: I need to make an appointment with the dentist.)
Essential Collocations using MAKE as a Noun
While “make” is primarily used as a verb, it is also frequently used as a noun in modern English, particularly when discussing manufacturing, brands, and products.
1. Brands and Manufacturing
- What make is…?: Asking about the brand of a product. (Example: What make is your television? Is it a Sony or a Samsung?)
- Make and model: A common phrase used for cars or electronics. (Example: Please provide the make and model of your vehicle for the insurance quote.)
- A foreign make: Referring to a product made in another country. (Example: I prefer foreign makes when it comes to kitchen appliances.)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Make a mistake | Verb | To do something incorrectly. |
| Make a mess | Verb | To create disorder or dirtiness. |
| Make an effort | Verb | To try hard to do something. |
| Make and model | Noun | The brand and specific version of a product. |
| Make a difference | Verb | To have a positive effect on a situation. |
| Make ends meet | Verb | To have just enough money for basics. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Many English learners mistakenly use “do” because of translations from their native languages (like “hacer” in Spanish or “faire” in French). Below are the most common errors caught by our linguistic experts.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Do a mistake | Make a mistake |
| Do a phone call | Make a phone call |
| Do a decision | Make a decision |
| Make homework | Do homework |
| Make an exercise | Do an exercise |
| Make a photo | Take a photo |
Contextual Story
“Dear Team, I want to make a suggestion for our upcoming product launch. Even though we made a mistake with the previous marketing campaign, I believe we have made progress in understanding our audience. If we make an effort to coordinate our social media posts, we will certainly make a difference in our sales numbers this quarter. Please make a plan to meet on Friday so we can make a final decision.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Make Collocations
What is the general rule for choosing “Make” over “Do”?
As a general rule, use “make” when you are creating or producing a physical object or an abstract result (like a sound, a decision, or a plan). Use “do” for general activities, jobs, or repetitive tasks (like doing chores, doing business, or doing your best).
Is “make a photo” ever correct in English?
No. In modern English, we always say “take a photo” or “take a picture.” Using “make” in this context is a common translation error from languages like German or Italian.
What does it mean to “make your bed”?
This does not mean building the furniture! It means tidying the sheets, pillows, and blankets after you wake up so the bed looks neat.
Can “make” be used to describe causing an emotion?
Yes, “make” is often used followed by an object and an adjective to describe causing a feeling. For example: “You make me happy” or “That movie made me sad.”
Is “make a research” correct?
No, this is a common error. Research is something you “do.” You should say “do research” or “conduct research.”
What about 'make friends'? Is the 'friend' the result? It feels a bit different.
Another great question, Paulo! While 'make friends' doesn't produce a *physical* object, it still focuses on the *result* of an action: the establishment of a friendship, which is a new connection or relationship. You're creating or causing a new social bond to exist. So yes, it still aligns with the 'result' principle!
So, it's about the *outcome*. 'Make a plan' = the plan is the outcome. 'Make money' = the money is the outcome. I think I finally get it!
Exactly, Fatima! You've perfectly encapsulated the core concept. Focusing on the *outcome* or *result* is a powerful way to distinguish 'make' from 'do' in many contexts. Keep thinking that way, and you'll solidify your understanding!
Are these 'make' collocations suitable for formal writing, like academic papers or business emails, or are some more casual?
That's a very practical question, David! The collocations discussed in this article – 'make a decision,' 'make a choice,' 'make progress,' 'make a mistake' – are all standard and perfectly appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. They are fundamental parts of modern English and carry no specific casual or slang connotations. You can use them with confidence in any setting!
Oh my goodness, 'do a decision' instead of 'make a decision' is exactly what I used to say! This article has made me realize why it sounded off. So grateful!
This was brilliant! Now I'm wondering if you'll do a similar article for 'DO' collocations? That's another tricky one!
Juan, we love your enthusiasm! You're right, 'DO' collocations are just as important and can be equally tricky. Stay tuned to Translateen.com – we're always working on new content, and an article on 'DO' collocations is definitely something we'd consider based on learner feedback like yours!
Translateen.com consistently delivers such clear and helpful content. This article is another gem! My language anxiety is definitely decreasing thanks to posts like these.
Chloe, your kind words mean a lot to us! We're so glad we can help reduce your language anxiety. That's precisely our goal – to empower learners like you to communicate with confidence. Keep visiting us for more tips and insights!
So, if 'make' is about the result, why do we 'make a cake'? Is the result the cake itself, or the action of baking it?
Excellent critical thinking, Omar! When you 'make a cake,' the result *is* the cake – a tangible item that didn't exist before you started. The process is baking, but the focus of 'make' here is on bringing that new item into existence. You *do* the baking, but you *make* the cake! Your question highlights the nuance beautifully.
The title 'Collocations with MAKE' immediately caught my eye. It's truly one of the most challenging verbs for non-native speakers. Thanks for breaking it down!
Are there any specific 'make' collocations that are more common in British English versus American English? Just curious!
That's a great question, Sarah! For fundamental collocations like 'make a mistake' or 'make a decision,' usage is largely consistent across both British and American English. However, sometimes there can be subtle preferences in broader phrasal verbs or idiomatic expressions. For example, while both understand 'make a fuss,' you might hear it slightly more often in British English. For the ones covered in this article, you're safe using them universally!
WOW! I never understood this before. This makes so much sense now. I'm going to start 'making decisions' correctly from now on! 😂