Welcome, friends! Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of collocations with the verb "make". If you're aiming to improve your English fluency and sound more natural, understanding how to use "make" with different words and phrases is a game-changer. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just passionate about mastering English grammar, knowing these common collocations can elevate your writing and speaking to a new level.
By the end of this guide, you'll see how versatile "make" truly is. We'll explore different collocations, tips for using them effectively, common mistakes to dodge, and fun practice exercises. Ready to become confident in using "make" collocations? Let’s jump right in!
What Are Collocations With "Make"?
Definition:
Collocations are words that frequently go together. They sound natural to native speakers and are often used together in everyday conversation and writing. When paired with "make," these collocations help form meaningful, idiomatic expressions.
Why Learn Them?
Using appropriate collocations with "make" improves your language fluency, sounds more authentic, and helps avoid awkward language that might confuse listeners or readers.
Common Collocations With "Make":
| Collocation | Meaning/Example | Usage Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Make a decision | To choose or decide something | Common in formal and informal contexts |
| Make an effort | To try hard or work hard | Often used when encouraging persistence |
| Make a choice | To select from options | Useful in daily decision-making |
| Make a mistake | To do something wrong | Critical for language learning and mistakes correction |
| Make a progress | To improve or move forward | Used to describe development |
| Make an impression | To leave a mark or impact | Used in social or professional situations |
| Make an excuse | To justify or defend oneself | When explaining absences or failures |
| Make a plan | To organize or prepare a future activity | Planning context |
| Make a phone call | To contact someone on the phone | Everyday communication |
| Make a wish | To desire or hope for something | Common in festive or casual talk |
Why Is Using "Make" Collocations Important?
Using these collocations correctly makes your English sound more natural and fluent. Instead of saying, “I decided,” using "make a decision" sounds more idiomatic. Plus, mastering these phrases can greatly improve your understanding of native speakers’ conversations and reading materials. It also helps in writing more professional emails, reports, or everyday chats.
How to Use "Make" Collocations Effectively
Step-by-step Guide
- Identify the context: Is it about decisions, efforts, mistakes, or plans? Different collocations fit different situations.
- Choose the right collocation: Refer to the list above or other resources.
- Incorporate naturally: Practice speaking and writing these collocations in context.
- Use varied sentence structures: Mix simple and complex sentences for fluency.
- Practice regularly: Engage in exercises and real-life conversations.
Detailed Table of Common "Make" Collocations and Their Usage
| Collocation | Meaning / Usage | Example Sentence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make a decision | Deciding after consideration | I need to make a decision about my career. | Formal and informal uses |
| Make an effort | Try hard to do something | She made an effort to improve her grades. | Encourages persistence |
| Make a choice | Select among options | You have to make a choice between these two proposals. | Used often in daily conversations |
| Make a mistake | Commit an error | He made a mistake in his calculations. | Very common in learning contexts |
| Make progress | Moving forward or improving | The project is making great progress. | Indicates positive change |
| Make an impression | Leave a positive impact | She made a good impression at the interview. | Beneficial in social settings |
| Make an excuse | Offer a reason or justification | Don't make an excuse for being late. | Sometimes negative connotations |
| Make a plan | Prepare or organize for the future | Let's make a plan for our vacation. | Used for setting goals |
| Make a phone call | Contact someone by telephone | I'll make a phone call to confirm the appointment. | Everyday activity |
| Make a wish | Hope for something, often at special moments | On her birthday, she made a wish before blowing out the candles. | Common in casual and festive talk |
Tips for Success with "Make" Collocations
- Practice daily: Incorporate these collocations into your writing and speaking daily.
- Create flashcards: Use for quiz-style revision.
- Use in context: Always try to embed them in real-life sentences.
- Watch for variations: Be aware of slight changes in context or form.
- Listen and imitate: Pay attention to native speakers in movies, podcasts, or conversations.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Correct Usage | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Using "make" with incorrect nouns (e.g., "make a coffee" instead of "make coffee" in some cases) | "Make coffee" (more natural), "Make a decision" | Some phrases naturally include "a" while others don't; learn the exceptions. |
| Overusing "make" in situations where "do" is appropriate | "Do homework," "do the laundry" | "Make" often relates to creation or impact, while "do" relates to tasks. |
| Mixing up similar collocations (e.g., "make a mistake" vs. "do a mistake") | Correct: "Make a mistake" | Always verify idiomatic phrases; avoid literal translations. |
| Applying "make" collocations in wrong contexts | For example, "make a progress" instead of "make progress" | Use the correct form based on collocation rule. |
Similar Variations and Related Phrases
You can sometimes swap or extend collocations for variety or emphasis:
- Make an informed decision (use with "informed" for more precision)
- Make a sincere effort (adds emphasis)
- Make a significant progress (adjective for emphasis)
- Make a quick decision (adverb to specify speed)
- Make concerted efforts (plural, emphasizing multiple attempts)
Practice Exercises
1. Fill-in-the-Blank
Fill in the blank with the appropriate "make" collocation:
- She always tries to ____ a good impression during interviews.
- After much contemplation, he finally ____ a decision about the price.
- Don’t forget to ____ a plan before we leave.
- Everyone makes mistakes; the important thing is to learn from them.
- We’ve made a lot of ____ on this project.
2. Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences:
- I need to make a homework before I go out.
- He made a quick decision to buy the car.
- She made a lot of progress in her studies.
- They made an excuse for being late.
- I will do a phone call later.
3. Identification
Match the collocation with its meaning:
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Make a decision | Organize or prepare for a future activity |
| Make an effort | Choose from options |
| Make progress | Improve or develop something |
| Make an impression | Leave a good impact or memory |
| Make a mistake | Do something wrong |
4. Sentence Construction
Construct sentences using each of these collocations:
- Make a choice
- Make an excuse
- Make a plan
- Make a wish
5. Category Matching
Group the collocations into categories:
| Category | Collocations |
|---|---|
| Decision-making | Make a decision, make a choice, make a plan |
| Effort and Progress | Make an effort, make progress |
| Social/Impact | Make an impression, make a wish |
| Mistakes and Justifications | Make a mistake, make an excuse |
Why It Matters: Wrap-up and Action Points
Understanding and mastering collocations with "make" is essential for fluent, idiomatic English. Whether you're making decisions, efforts, or mistakes, knowing the right phrases helps you communicate clearly and naturally.
Here's what you should do moving forward:
- Review and memorize key "make" collocations.
- Practice forming sentences daily.
- Use these expressions in conversations and writing.
- Listen to native speakers and imitate their usage.
Consistent practice will turn these collocations into your second nature, making your English truly stand out.
In conclusion, exploring and mastering collocations with "make" isn’t just a language tip—it's a vital step toward speaking and writing more confidently. Keep practicing, stay curious, and you’ll notice your fluency blossoming in no time. Remember: the more you incorporate "make" collocations, the more authentic your English will sound. Happy learning!