Introduction
Phrasal verbs are a key part of natural English, and the verb make creates some of the most useful ones. Mastering phrasal verbs with make will help you sound more fluent and understand everyday conversations better. In this post, you will learn a complete list of phrasal verbs with make, their meanings, and plenty of examples to use right away.
What Are Phrasal Verbs with Make?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs) that together create a new meaning. For example, make up can mean to invent a story or to reconcile after a fight. These verbs are common in both spoken and written English, especially at the B1–B2 level. Learning them in groups, like with the verb make, makes them easier to remember.
Rules for Using Phrasal Verbs with Make
- Separable vs. Inseparable: Some phrasal verbs with make can be separated by an object (e.g., make up a story or make a story up), while others must stay together (e.g., make for cannot be separated). Always check the dictionary.
- Object Placement: With separable phrasal verbs, if the object is a pronoun (like it or them), it must go between the verb and particle: She made it up (not She made up it).
- Meaning Depends on Context: The same phrasal verb can have different meanings. For example, make out can mean to understand or to kiss passionately. Pay attention to the surrounding words.
- Formal vs. Informal: Phrasal verbs with make are generally more common in informal and conversational English. In formal writing, you might use single-word synonyms like invent instead of make up.
How to Use Phrasal Verbs with Make
To use these phrasal verbs correctly, follow these steps:
- Learn the meaning: Start with the most common ones. For example, make up (invent), make out (understand), make for (move toward).
- Practice with objects: Write sentences using both separable and inseparable forms. Example: I need to make up an excuse (separable) vs. Let’s make for the exit (inseparable).
- Listen and repeat: Watch movies or listen to podcasts and note how native speakers use these verbs. Repeat the sentences aloud.
- Use in writing: Try writing a short paragraph using at least three phrasal verbs with make. For example: I had to make up a story to make out what happened. We made for the door when the fire alarm went off.
Examples in Sentences
- She made up a funny excuse for being late.
- I can’t make out what this sign says; the letters are too small.
- They made for the beach as soon as the sun came out.
- He made off with my wallet while I wasn’t looking.
- We need to make up for lost time by working faster.
- Can you make over this old dress into a skirt?
- The two friends made up after their big argument.
- She made out that she was sick, but nobody believed her.
- This rare coin will make up the difference in value.
- The thief made away with the jewelry before anyone noticed.
- We should make for the shelter before the storm hits.
- He made over his entire living room with new furniture.
Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs with Make
- Mistake 1: ❌ She made up it quickly.
✅ She made it up quickly. (Pronoun must go between verb and particle.) - Mistake 2: ❌ They made for the door quickly it.
✅ They made for the door quickly. (Make for is inseparable; no object after the particle.) - Mistake 3: ❌ He made out with a story to explain the mess.
✅ He made up a story to explain the mess. (Make out means to understand or kiss; use make up for inventing.) - Mistake 4: ❌ I need to make over for my mistake.
✅ I need to make up for my mistake. (Make over means to transform, not to compensate.) - Mistake 5: ❌ She made off the money with.
✅ She made off with the money. (Make off with is a fixed phrase; the object comes after with.)
Quick Summary
- Make up – to invent or to reconcile
- Make out – to understand or to kiss
- Make for – to move toward a place
- Make off with – to steal something
- Make up for – to compensate for a loss or mistake
- Make over – to transform or renovate
- Make away with – to steal or escape with something
- Remember: pronouns go between verb and particle in separable phrasal verbs.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verb from the list: make up, make out, make for, make up for, make over. Use the correct form.
- I couldn’t __________ what she was saying because of the noise.
- They decided to __________ after their long fight.
- We need to __________ the lost time by studying extra hours.
- She wants to __________ her bedroom with new colors and furniture.
- When the rain started, we __________ the nearest café.
Answers: 1. make out, 2. make up, 3. make up for, 4. make over, 5. made for
Conclusion
Phrasal verbs with make are essential for sounding natural in English. By learning their meanings, rules, and common mistakes, you can use them confidently in conversations and writing. Keep practicing with the examples and exercises above, and soon these verbs will become second nature.
FAQ
1. What is the difference between make up and make out?
Make up usually means to invent something (like a story) or to reconcile after an argument. Make out can mean to understand something with difficulty (e.g., I can’t make out the handwriting) or to kiss passionately (e.g., They were making out in the park). The context tells you which meaning is intended.
2. Can I use make off with in formal writing?
Make off with is informal and means to steal or take something quickly. In formal writing, it is better to use verbs like steal or take illegally. For example, instead of The thief made off with the cash, write The thief stole the cash.
3. Is make for always used for movement?
Yes, make for typically means to move toward a specific place or thing. For example, We made for the exit means we moved toward the exit. It is always inseparable, so you cannot separate the verb and particle.
4. How do I know if a phrasal verb with make is separable?
You need to check a good dictionary. As a general rule, if the phrasal verb has an object that is a noun, it can often be separated (e.g., make up a story or make a story up). But if the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and particle (e.g., make it up). Inseparable phrasal verbs like make for always keep the verb and particle together.