Verbs - Expressions with 'Make'

Many common English expressions use the verb 'make' followed by a noun. These combinations (collocations) often convey actions like creating, causing, or performing an outcome. Learning these fixed expressions is essential for natural, professional English in business contexts.

• 'Make' + noun often describes causing a result (e.g., make a decision).
• Many expressions are fixed collocations — you must learn the noun that follows 'make'.
• Use the correct tense of 'make' (make/made/making) depending on time and aspect.

Remember this core idea:

• 'Make' + noun = create, cause, or perform an outcome (make a decision, make changes).
• Use 'make' with fixed collocations; the noun that follows is important.
• Choose the correct tense: present (make), past (made), progressive (making).

If you're describing an activity without a result, consider whether 'do' is more appropriate (do the work vs. make a plan).

Watch out for these universal errors:

• Confusing 'make' and 'do' and using the wrong verb with a noun (e.g., 'do a decision' — incorrect).
• Literal translation from your native language that produces unnatural phrases.
• Incorrect tense or form of 'make' (e.g., using 'make' instead of 'made' for past events).
• Omitting necessary articles or prepositions that are part of the fixed expression (e.g., 'make appointment' vs. 'make an appointment').

Learn each collocation as a unit (verb + noun + possible article) to avoid errors.