makes
makes — verb
- makespresent simple I / you / we / they
- makeses3rd person singular
- makesing-ing form
- makesedpast simple
1. to create something by combining materials, using your hands, or working with a
to create something by combining materials, using your hands, or working with a machine; to build, form, or prepare a physical object.
Mei made a warm scarf from the wool her grandmother gave her.
make + object + from + material
The bakery on Oak Street makes fresh bread every morning before sunrise.
Omar made a wooden toy box for his younger sister's birthday present.
A small factory near the river makes about five hundred chairs each week.
Sofia made a birthday card covered with hand-drawn flowers for her aunt.
- create
more formal and often implies originality or artistry; 'create' emphasises bringing something new into existence
- build
focuses on assembling parts or constructing something, often larger or more structural
- produce
more formal; often used for manufacturing at scale in a factory or business context
- manufacture
formal, specifically for industrial or machine-based production
- destroy
to break something apart so it no longer exists
文法句型
make + something (noun phrase)
make + something + from/out of + material
用法筆記
Object is the thing being created. When mentioning the source material, use 'from' (the material is transformed), 'out of' (the material is visibly part of the result), or 'with' (the material is a tool or ingredient).
常見錯誤
2. to direct, produce, or act in a film, television programme, or video; to be invo
to direct, produce, or act in a film, television programme, or video; to be involved in creating a recorded moving picture.
Kenji hopes to make a documentary about mountain villages in central Taiwan.
make + documentary + about + topic
That studio made over twenty films last year, mostly for streaming services.
subject is a studio (organisation)
Amara made a short video about street food for her school project.
The actor who made that series grew up in a small town near London.
文法句型
make + a film/programme/documentary/series/video
用法筆記
Subject can be a director, producer, actor, studio, or any person involved in creating the film or programme. This sense is distinct from 'make' (CREATE), which refers to physical objects.
常見錯誤
3. to cause something to happen or someone to feel a particular way; to be the reas
to cause something to happen or someone to feel a particular way; to be the reason why a situation, feeling, or event occurs.
The heavy rain made the driving conditions dangerous all afternoon.
make + object + adjective (cause a state)
Eating too much sugar late at night can make it hard to fall asleep.
make + it + adjective + to-infinitive
The news about the scholarship made Diego feel very proud of himself.
Cold and rainy weather often makes the park empty by late afternoon.
Wei's careful planning made the whole wedding day run without problems.
- prevent
to stop something from happening
文法句型
make + someone/something + adjective
make + someone/something + verb (bare infinitive)
make + it + adjective + to-infinitive
用法筆記
The cause is the subject and the result or effect is the object. This sense commonly uses 'make + object + adjective' (e.g., 'make it easy') or 'make + object + bare infinitive' (e.g., 'make him wait'). The adjective can describe a feeling, a condition, or a judgement.
常見錯誤
4. to cause someone or something to enter a new condition, role, or form; to change
to cause someone or something to enter a new condition, role, or form; to change what something is like or what someone's job or position is.
The fresh paint and new curtains made the old living room look bright.
make + object + adjective (change appearance)
Nadia's encouraging words made everyone feel welcome at the welcome party.
The school board made Arun the head of the science department last spring.
A good teacher can make difficult subjects seem easy and fun to learn.
The warm weather and blue sky made the beach the perfect place for a picnic.
文法句型
make + object + adjective (change to a new state)
make + object + noun (appoint or transform into)
make + object + past participle (cause a change by an action)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (CAUSE): sense 3 focuses on causing events or feelings, while sense 4 focuses on changing the state, appearance, or role of someone or something. Common complement types are adjectives (make it bigger), nouns (make him captain), and past participles (make it known).
常見錯誤
5. to do what is needed so that there is no doubt about something happening, being
to do what is needed so that there is no doubt about something happening, being true, or being done properly.
Please make sure you lock the front door before you leave for work.
make sure + that-clause (implied 'that')
Elena made certain that every guest had a vegetarian meal option.
make certain + that-clause
Fatima made sure to check the weather report before planning the garden party.
The nurse made sure of the patient's name before giving the medicine.
- neglect
to fail to take care of something that should be done
文法句型
make sure/certain + that-clause
make sure + to-infinitive
make sure/certain + of + something
用法筆記
Always paired with 'sure' or 'certain' — 'make' alone does not carry this meaning. 'Make sure' is more common in everyday speech, while 'make certain' is slightly more formal. The that-clause can omit 'that' in informal speech.
常見錯誤
6. to force someone to do something they do not want to do, or to cause something t
to force someone to do something they do not want to do, or to cause something to happen unavoidably; to compel action through pressure or circumstances.
The teacher made the students rewrite their essays using better sources.
make + object + bare infinitive (active causative)
Takeshi's broken ankle made him miss the final three weeks of the season.
The strong wind made the cyclists stop and take shelter behind a wall.
Hunger and exhaustion made the hikers turn back before reaching the top.
文法句型
make + someone/something + verb (bare infinitive)
be made + to-infinitive (passive)
用法筆記
In the active voice, the verb after the object has no 'to' (bare infinitive). In the passive voice, 'to' reappears: 'She was made to wait for an hour.' Distinguish from sense 7 (BE FORCED) which is only used in the passive and describes the experience of being compelled.
常見錯誤
7. to be forced or required to do something that you did not choose to do — for exa
to be forced or required to do something that you did not choose to do — for example, being made to wait for a long time, or being made to follow a rule.
Guests at the hotel were made to wait over an hour for their rooms.
passive: be made to wait
Théo was made to apologise to the whole class for his rude comment.
Students are made to wear uniforms at that private school.
Nikhil felt he was being made to choose between his job and his family.
Salma was made to stay late at the office every night last week.
文法句型
be made to + infinitive
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the passive voice. The active equivalent ("make someone do something") belongs to a separate sense of the verb. Distinguish from sense 6 (active causative): here the subject is the person who is forced, not the person who does the forcing.
常見錯誤
8. to do something specific — like making a choice, a phone call, or an attempt — w
to do something specific — like making a choice, a phone call, or an attempt — where the noun that follows shows what that action is.
Lien made a careful decision after reading all the information.
collocation: make a decision
I need to make a phone call before the meeting starts.
collocation: make a phone call
The government made an offer to rebuild the damaged bridge.
Heloísa made a real effort to arrive on time every day this month.
Nala made a sudden move towards the door before anyone could stop her.
文法句型
make + a/an + noun (decision, call, move, effort, attempt)
用法筆記
The choice of object noun determines the specific meaning. Common fixed collocations include: 'make a decision', 'make a phone call', 'make an attempt', 'make an offer', 'make a move', 'make a choice'. Unlike the verb 'do', which is used for work or tasks ('do homework'), 'make' with an action noun often signals a single, defined event.
常見錯誤
9. to shift yourself or push objects aside so that someone or something can pass, s
to shift yourself or push objects aside so that someone or something can pass, sit, or fit into a space — used in the fixed expressions 'make room', 'make space', and 'make way'.
Emma moved her bag to make room for an elderly passenger on the bus.
collocation: make room for
The crowd made way as the ambulance came down the narrow street.
collocation: make way
Could you make some space on the shelf for my new books?
Jiwoo made room on the bench so her friend could sit beside her.
The old factory was torn down to make way for a new shopping centre.
文法句型
make + room/space/way + for + noun
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the three fixed expressions 'make room', 'make space', and 'make way'. 'Make way' can also have a figurative meaning ('make way for new ideas'). The object noun is never modified by an article ('make room' not 'make a room').
常見錯誤
10. to pull up the sheets, blankets, and pillows on a bed and arrange them neatly af
to pull up the sheets, blankets, and pillows on a bed and arrange them neatly after someone has slept in it.
Mum always asks us to make our beds before we leave for school.
fixed expression: make your bed
Otis made his bed and put his dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
The hotel staff make the beds and leave fresh towels every morning.
Ingrid forgot to make her bed before the visitor arrived.
Noa makes the bed right after getting up every single day.
- tidy
more general, can apply to any area
- straighten
implies neatening without full tidying
文法句型
make + the bed
用法筆記
This sense only combines with 'bed' as the object. You cannot 'make a sofa' or 'make a chair' in the same way. 'Make the bed' is a fixed, idiomatic expression that A2 learners should learn as a single unit.
常見錯誤
11. to produce a particular amount or number when added together — used in arithmeti
to produce a particular amount or number when added together — used in arithmetic, accounting, or any situation where items combine into a sum.
Seven and three make ten — that is the easiest sum in the book.
arithmetic: number + and + number make + total
If you add the drinks and the food, that makes thirty dollars in total.
Mayumi checked her receipts; the three items made fifty-two pounds.
A dozen eggs plus a carton of milk makes about two kilos to carry.
Twelve months of saving ten dollars each week makes over five hundred.
- equals
formal; used in mathematics
- totals
specifically about adding to a sum
- adds up to
informal; works for both literal and figurative amounts
文法句型
X + makes + Y (amount/number)
用法筆記
Functions like a linking verb — it connects a set of items to their total. The subject can be singular or plural ('two and two makes four' or 'two and two make four'; both are accepted, though singular is more common in British English).
常見錯誤
12. to calculate or estimate an amount, distance, or value to be a particular number
to calculate or estimate an amount, distance, or value to be a particular number — used especially when you work something out in your head or from rough measurements.
I make the distance from here to the station about two kilometres.
pattern: make + object + amount (estimate)
Théo looked at the bill and made it forty-three pounds including the tip.
The surveyors make the total area a little over five hectares.
How old do you make him — about thirty-five?
Nikhil counted the chairs and made it twenty-three, not twenty-five.
文法句型
make + object + number/amount
make + object + to be + number
用法筆記
Predominantly British English. The subject is usually the person doing the calculating. The object can be followed directly by an amount ('make it ten dollars') or by a 'to be' clause ('make it to be ten dollars'). Common in spoken estimates: 'What do you make the time?'
常見錯誤
13. To receive money as payment for the work you do, or to get a profit from a busin
To receive money as payment for the work you do, or to get a profit from a business activity.
Eri makes a good living as a freelance graphic designer in Taipei.
collocation: make a living
The small bakery made over fifty thousand dollars in profit last year.
Tamar makes extra money by tutoring high school students on weekends.
How much do you think a senior nurse makes at a large hospital?
Caio made a huge profit when he sold his collection of vintage posters.
文法句型
make + money/profit/living
用法筆記
In informal conversation, 'make' is more common than 'earn' when talking about salary or profit. 'Earn' is slightly more formal and preferred in written contexts like contracts.
常見錯誤
✅ 'I made 500 dollars from my part-time job last week.' — 'Make' is natural and common in everyday conversation for talking about earning money from work. ✅ 'I earned 500 dollars from my part-time job last week.' — 'Earn' is slightly more formal and preferred in written English.
14. To successfully get to a place, point in time, or stage of progress, often after
To successfully get to a place, point in time, or stage of progress, often after some effort or difficulty.
The hikers finally made it to the top of the mountain just before sunset.
make it to + place
Ava made the last train home with only thirty seconds to spare.
If we leave now, we can still make the six o'clock ferry to Green Island.
Kabir made it to the final round of the job interview process.
The ambulance made it to the emergency room in just under eight minutes.
- miss
opposite for transport or deadlines: 'miss the train'
文法句型
make + it + to/into + place/time/goal
用法筆記
When reaching a place or event, 'make' almost always requires the dummy object 'it': 'make it to [place]'. The 'it' cannot be dropped. For scheduled transport ('make the train'), 'it' is optional.
常見錯誤
15. To be chosen as a member of a sports team, musical group, or other competitive o
To be chosen as a member of a sports team, musical group, or other competitive organization after trying out or being considered.
Layla practised every day for a year and finally made the school basketball team.
make + the + [team name]
After three years of difficult auditions, Sirin made the national youth choir.
Romi was thrilled to learn she had made the selection for the Olympic swimming squad.
Only five out of forty students made the debating society after the spring tryouts.
- be selected for
more formal and general; works for any group or position
- get into
informal; commonly used for schools, clubs, or competitive programs
- qualify for
focus on meeting the requirements rather than being chosen
- be cut from
opposite: removed from a team during tryouts or after being on it
文法句型
make + the + team/group/squad/cut
用法筆記
Always used with a definite article or determiner: 'make the team', 'make the squad', 'make the cut'. Cannot be used without an article (*'make team').
常見錯誤
16. To be reported about in newspapers, on television, or in online media as a notab
To be reported about in newspapers, on television, or in online media as a notable event.
The discovery of the ancient temple near Tainan made international news last week.
make + [type of] news
Anya's rescue of a stranded family of ducks made the local newspaper.
The earthquake made headlines around the world within just a few hours.
Rachid's award-winning photograph made the front page of the evening edition.
The celebrity wedding did not make the news because the family asked for complete privacy.
- hit the headlines
idiomatic; stronger emphasis on widespread attention
- be reported
more neutral and formal; passive construction
- appear in the news
more literal; focuses on the medium rather than the achievement
- go unnoticed
opposite: an event that attracts no media attention
文法句型
make + the + news/headlines/front page
用法筆記
Common collocations include 'make the news', 'make headlines', and 'make the front page'. The news medium is almost always preceded by a definite article or determiner.
常見錯誤
17. To add a final element that turns something good into something complete, ideal,
To add a final element that turns something good into something complete, ideal, or exactly right for a particular situation.
The leather jacket really makes the outfit — it ties the whole look together.
make + noun (the outfit/meal/evening)
A little more salt would make this soup absolutely perfect.
The party was fun already, but the fireworks at midnight made the evening truly special.
Esteban said the vintage lamp on the desk made the whole room feel complete.
- ruin
opposite effect: 'the loud music ruined the atmosphere'
文法句型
make + noun + adjective (complement)
用法筆記
Often used informally to express that one specific element transforms an experience or object. The complement (adjective) follows the direct object: 'make [something] perfect', not *'make perfect [something]'.
常見錯誤
makes — noun
- makessingular
- makesesplural
1. a particular brand of a manufactured product — for example, a car, a phone, or a
a particular brand of a manufactured product — for example, a car, a phone, or a washing machine — or the company that produces it.
Nikos asked his new friend Talia, 'What make of car does your family drive?'
what make of [product type] in questions
Feng chose a well-known make of laptop because replacement parts were easy to find.
make of [electronics] with reason clause
The department store sells several makes of washing machine, from cheap to very expensive models.
Rodrigo always buys the same make of running shoes because they fit his feet well.
People often stay loyal to a particular make of phone when they upgrade.
- brand
wider use — applies to food, clothing, and cosmetics, where 'make' would sound unnatural
- model
more specific — refers to a particular version or design within a make/brand
- manufacturer
focuses on the producing company rather than the product line itself
文法句型
make of [product type]
what make of...
用法筆記
Frequently used in questions and phrases that describe or compare products: 'what make of…', 'a different make', 'the same make'. Unlike 'brand', which can apply to any consumer good including food and clothing, 'make' is most natural for mechanical or electronic items like cars, computers, and home appliances.