Verb - To Make

There are many important combinations of the verb to make with nouns. These are known as strong collocations. Here is a list of the most important expressions using the verb to make. Each collocation of the verb to make has two examples to help you understand the context.

Definition: To make appointments with doctors, or other specialists you need to visit

I'd like to make an appointment for next Tuesday.
Do you have an appointment?

Make an arrangement for something

Definition: To plan for something

I've made arrangements for the meeting next Tuesday.
Jennifer doesn't make arrangements for us. Peter does.

Make an attempt

Definition: To try to do something

This is the third attempt he's made a getting a job.
I'd like you to make an attempt.

Make the bed

Definition: Order the bed, putting sheets and blankets into place

Have you made the bed yet?
Let me make the bed before we leave.

Make a cake

Definition: To put ingredients together for a cake

What kind of cake would you like me to make?
I made a chocolate cake this morning for his birthday.

To make changes

Definition: Change habits or anything that has become normal

It's time to make changes around here!
I think we need to make some changes to our schedule.

Make a contribution

Definition: To give time or money

I'd like to make a contribution to the campaign.
Thank you for making a contribution to our charity.

Make a decision

Definition: to decide something

I'll need you to make a decision by tomorrow.
We made the decision to adopt another child.

Make an effort

Definition: To try hard to do something

I'm making the best effort I can!
Could you please make an effort at doing this exercise?

Make a face

Definition: To distort your face

Why are you making that face?
My son makes a face every time he eats eggs.

Make friends

Definition: To become new friends with someone

We made some friends on vacation.
I haven't made many friends here since I moved last year.

Make a guess

Definition: To guess at something

Could you make a guess at how many people are here?
We had to make a guess and base our report on those numbers.

Make an impact

Definition: To improve a situation

His help in class really made an impact.
He wanted to make an impact on the world so he became a teacher.

Make an impression

Definition: To make a positive impact on people

The concert made an impression on everyone.
Do you think I made an impression during the presentation?

Make a mess

Definition: Put out of order

You've made a mess in this room!
Unfortunately, I made a mess of the business deal last week.

Make a mistake

Definition: To make an error

She made a mistake marrying Tim.
I made four mistakes on the test.

Make money

Definition: To earn money

What do you do to make money?
How much money did you make on the sale?

Make peace

Definition: To stop quarreling or fighting

Make peace not war.
We made peace and have been great friends every since that day.

Make progress

Definition: To go forward with something

We made good progress on the project last week.
Have you made any progress on the report?

Make a promise

Definition: To promise something specific

I made a promise to help you and I will.
Did you make a promise to do that?

Make a speech

Definition: To speak in front of an audience

The prime minister made a speech at the court.
Not many people enjoy making speeches.