Have you ever found yourself confused about when to use “made” versus “make” in your writing? It’s a common mistake, but don’t worry – we’re here to help clear things up.
First off, let’s answer the question of which word is the proper one to use. The answer is: it depends on the context. “Made” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “make,” so it’s used when referring to something that has already been created or produced. “Make,” on the other hand, is the present tense of the verb and is used when referring to the act of creating or producing something.
To give a bit more clarity, here are some brief definitions of each:
- Made: created or produced something in the past
- Make: the act of creating or producing something in the present
Now that we have a better understanding of the difference between these two words, let’s dive deeper into some examples of how to use them correctly in your writing.
Define Made
Made is the past tense and past participle of the verb make. It refers to the act of creating or producing something by combining materials, ingredients, or parts. Made is often used to describe items that have been manufactured, constructed, or assembled. It can also indicate that something has been formed or shaped in a particular way.
For example:
- The table was made from reclaimed wood.
- She made a delicious cake for her friend’s birthday.
- The sculpture was made by a famous artist.
Define Make
Make is a verb that refers to the act of creating, producing, or forming something. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from crafting something by hand to manufacturing a product on a large scale. Make can also indicate the process of causing something to happen or the act of achieving a particular result.
For example:
- She likes to make jewelry in her free time.
- The company makes high-quality furniture.
- He worked hard to make a good impression at the job interview.
Overall, made and make are both important verbs that are used to describe the act of creating or producing something. While made is typically used to describe the finished product, make can refer to the entire process of bringing something into existence.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the correct word in a sentence can make a big difference in how your message is perceived. In this section, we will discuss how to use the words “made” and “make” in a sentence.
How To Use “Made” In A Sentence
The word “made” is the past tense of the verb “make”. It is used to describe something that has already been created or produced. Here are some examples of how to use “made” in a sentence:
- She made a delicious cake for the party.
- He made a mistake on his math test.
- The company made a profit last quarter.
It is important to note that “made” is often used with a specific object that has been created or produced. For example, “She made a cake” is more specific than “She made something.”
How To Use “Make” In A Sentence
The word “make” is used to describe the act of creating or producing something. It is often used in the present tense. Here are some examples of how to use “make” in a sentence:
- She is going to make dinner tonight.
- He can make a birdhouse out of wood.
- We need to make a decision soon.
“Make” can also be used to describe the act of causing something to happen. For example, “The loud noise made me jump.”
It is important to note that “make” is often used with an infinitive verb, such as “make dinner” or “make a decision”.
More Examples Of Made & Make Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between “made” and “make”, it is important to see how they are used in sentences. Here are some examples:
Examples Of Using “Made” In A Sentence:
- She made a delicious dinner for her family.
- The dress was made of silk.
- He made a mistake on his test.
- The company made a profit this quarter.
- The artist made a sculpture out of clay.
- The cake was made from scratch.
- The bed was made with fresh sheets.
- The decision was made to postpone the meeting.
- The car was made in Germany.
- The necklace was made by hand.
Examples Of Using “Make” In A Sentence:
- She can make a mean cup of coffee.
- I want to make a difference in the world.
- He is trying to make friends at his new school.
- She is going to make a cake for her friend’s birthday.
- The company is trying to make a new product.
- He needs to make a decision about his future.
- She is going to make a phone call to her grandmother.
- He is going to make a presentation at the conference.
- The team needs to make a plan for the project.
- She is going to make a reservation at the restaurant.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words “made” and “make,” many people tend to use them interchangeably, which can lead to confusion and incorrect usage. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Mistake #1: Using “Made” Instead Of “Make” In The Present Tense
One of the most common mistakes people make is using “made” instead of “make” in the present tense. For example, saying “I made a sandwich” instead of “I’m making a sandwich.” This mistake can make your sentences sound awkward and confusing.
To avoid this mistake, remember that “made” is the past tense of “make,” while “make” is the present tense. If you’re talking about something you’re currently doing, use “make.”
Mistake #2: Using “Make” Instead Of “Made” In The Past Tense
Another common mistake is using “make” instead of “made” in the past tense. For example, saying “I make a sandwich yesterday” instead of “I made a sandwich yesterday.” This mistake can make your sentences sound ungrammatical and confusing.
To avoid this mistake, remember that “made” is the past tense of “make.” If you’re talking about something you did in the past, use “made.”
Mistake #3: Using “Made” As An Adjective
Some people use “made” as an adjective to describe something that was created or produced. For example, saying “I have a made bed” instead of “I have a bed that’s made.” This mistake can make your sentences sound awkward and unclear.
To avoid this mistake, remember that “made” is a verb, not an adjective. Instead of using “made” as an adjective, use a different word such as “created” or “produced.”
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
- Pay attention to the tense of the sentence.
- Think about whether you’re talking about something you’re currently doing or something you did in the past.
- Use “made” as the past tense of “make” and “make” as the present tense.
- Avoid using “made” as an adjective.
By avoiding these common mistakes and following these tips, you can improve your use of “made” and “make” in your writing and speech.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between “made” and “make,” context is key. Depending on the situation, one word may be more appropriate than the other. Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “made” and “make” might change:
Manufacturing
In the context of manufacturing, “made” is typically the preferred choice. This is because it conveys the idea of something being produced or created on a large scale. For example:
- The car was made in Japan.
- The furniture is made from high-quality materials.
In these cases, “make” would not be appropriate because it suggests a more hands-on approach to production, which is not typically the case in manufacturing.
Cooking
In the context of cooking, both “made” and “make” can be used, but they have slightly different connotations. “Made” suggests that something has already been prepared, while “make” suggests that it is currently being prepared. For example:
- I made a cake for the party.
- I’m making dinner right now.
In this context, the choice between “made” and “make” is largely a matter of personal preference and style.
Art And Crafts
In the context of art and crafts, “make” is typically the preferred choice. This is because it conveys the idea of something being created by hand, rather than mass-produced. For example:
- I made this quilt myself.
- She makes beautiful pottery.
In this context, “made” would not be appropriate because it suggests a more industrial or commercial approach to production.
Overall, the choice between “made” and “make” depends on the context in which they are used. By understanding the nuances of each word, you can choose the one that best fits your intended meaning and tone.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “made” and “make” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to be aware of. In certain contexts, the rules may not apply, and it’s important to understand these exceptions to avoid any confusion or misuse of the terms.
Exceptions For “Made”
One exception to the rule for using “made” is when it is used as a verb in the context of cooking or preparing food. In this case, “made” is often used to refer to the process of creating a dish or recipe. For example:
- “I made lasagna for dinner last night.”
- “She made a delicious cake for the party.”
Another exception for “made” is when it is used in the context of art or craftsmanship. In this case, “made” is often used to refer to the process of creating a work of art or a handmade object. For example:
- “The artist made a sculpture out of clay.”
- “He made a wooden table by hand.”
Exceptions For “Make”
One exception to the rule for using “make” is when it is used in the context of causation or influence. In this case, “make” is often used to refer to the ability to cause or influence something to happen. For example:
- “The loud noise made her jump.”
- “The rain made the roads slippery.”
Another exception for “make” is when it is used in the context of describing someone’s occupation or profession. In this case, “make” is often used to refer to the act of earning a living or generating income. For example:
- “He makes a living as a freelance writer.”
- “She makes money by selling handmade jewelry.”
By understanding these exceptions, you can use “made” and “make” more effectively and accurately in your writing and communication.
Practice Exercises
Improving your understanding and use of “made” and “make” can be challenging, but practice exercises can help. Here are some exercises to help you master the usage of these words:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| She ___________________ a cake for her daughter’s birthday. | made |
| He wants to ___________________ a difference in the world. | make |
| The artist ___________________ a beautiful painting of the sunset. | made |
| She needs to ___________________ a decision soon. | make |
| He ___________________ a lot of money from his business. | made |
| She ___________________ a mess in the kitchen. | made |
| He can’t ___________________ up his mind about which movie to watch. | make |
Explanation: “Made” is used when something is created or produced. “Make” is used when something is being done or performed.
Exercise 2: Choose The Correct Word
- She _______________ a delicious lasagna for dinner.
- a. made
- b. make
- a. made
- b. make
- a. made
- b. make
- a. made
- b. make
- a. made
- b. make
Explanation: In each sentence, only one of the words “made” or “make” is the correct choice. Choose the word that correctly fits the sentence’s context.
By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of “made” and “make” in sentences.
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between “made” and “make,” it’s clear that these two words have distinct meanings and uses in the English language. “Made” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “make,” and it is used to indicate that something has been created or produced in the past. “Make,” on the other hand, is used to indicate the act of creating or producing something in the present or future.
It’s important to understand the difference between these two words in order to use them correctly in your writing. Using “made” instead of “make,” or vice versa, can change the meaning of a sentence and lead to confusion for your readers.
Key Takeaways:
- “Made” is the past tense and past participle of “make.”
- “Made” is used to indicate that something has been created or produced in the past.
- “Make” is used to indicate the act of creating or producing something in the present or future.
- Using the wrong word can change the meaning of a sentence and confuse readers.
Remember, grammar and language use are important skills to have in both personal and professional settings. By continuing to learn and improve your language skills, you can communicate more effectively and confidently in any situation.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.