Make vs Give: When To Use Each One In Writing

Are you confused about when to use the words “make” and “give”? You’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “make” and “give” and help you understand when to use each one.

Let’s define the two words. “Make” generally means to create or produce something, while “give” means to provide or transfer something to someone else. While there is some overlap between these definitions, they are not interchangeable in all situations.

So, which one should you use? It depends on the context. In some cases, either word could be correct. In others, only one will be appropriate. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of when to use “make” and when to use “give.”

Define Make

Make refers to the act of creating or producing something. It involves using materials or resources to transform them into a new product or item. The process of making something involves a certain level of skill and expertise, as well as creativity and innovation. Making can be applied to a wide range of activities, from cooking a meal to building a house, and it can be done by individuals or organizations.

Define Give

Give refers to the act of providing something to someone else. It involves transferring ownership or possession of an item or resource from one person to another, without necessarily creating something new. Giving can take many forms, such as giving a gift, giving money to charity, or giving someone a piece of advice. It can be a selfless act or it can be done with the expectation of receiving something in return.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right words in a sentence can make all the difference in conveying the intended meaning. Two commonly used words that can be easily confused are “make” and “give”. Here’s how to properly use them in a sentence:

How To Use “Make” In A Sentence

“Make” is a verb that means to create, produce, or cause something to happen. It is often used to describe the process of creating or constructing something tangible or intangible. Here are some examples:

• She made a delicious cake for the party.
• He made a convincing argument in favor of the proposal.
• The company made a profit of $1 million last year.

It’s important to note that “make” can also be used in idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs that have a different meaning than the literal definition of the word. For example:

• She made up her mind to quit her job. (decided)
• He made off with the stolen goods. (escaped with)
• They made do with what they had. (managed with)

How To Use “Give” In A Sentence

“Give” is a verb that means to transfer something to someone else, or to provide something to someone. It can also be used to describe the act of offering or presenting something. Here are some examples:

• She gave me a book for my birthday.
• He gave a speech at the conference.
• The company gave a donation to the charity.

Similar to “make”, “give” can also be used in idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs that have a different meaning than the literal definition of the word. For example:

• She gave in to his demands. (yielded)
• He gave up smoking. (quit)
• They gave out free samples. (distributed)

When using “make” and “give” in a sentence, it’s important to consider the context and intended meaning to ensure the correct word is used. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate your message and avoid confusion.

More Examples Of Make & Give Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the differences between “make” and “give,” it’s important to see them in action. Here are some examples of how these two verbs can be used in a variety of sentences:

Examples Of Using “Make” In A Sentence

• She can make a mean lasagna from scratch.
• He made a big mistake by not double-checking his work.
• The artist made a beautiful sculpture out of marble.
• They made a decision to postpone the project until next month.
• She made a promise to always be there for her best friend.
• He made a fortune by investing wisely in the stock market.
• The teacher made an example out of the student who cheated on the test.
• The company made a profit this quarter despite tough economic conditions.
• She made an effort to learn a new language before her trip to France.
• He made a point to thank everyone who helped him along the way.

Examples Of Using “Give” In A Sentence

• She gave her time and energy to help those in need.
• He gave a presentation on the benefits of meditation.
• The company gave a generous bonus to its employees this year.
• They gave a warm welcome to the new neighbors.
• She gave her opinion on the best way to solve the problem.
• He gave a high-five to his teammate after scoring the winning goal.
• The charity gave a portion of its proceeds to support cancer research.
• They gave a standing ovation to the talented performer.
• She gave a hug to her friend who was going through a tough time.
• He gave a shout-out to his parents for their unwavering support.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “make” and “give,” many people tend to interchange them without realizing that they have different meanings. This can lead to confusion and miscommunication, especially in written communication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Using “Make” Instead Of “Give”

One common mistake is using “make” instead of “give” when referring to giving something to someone. For example, saying “I made him the book” instead of “I gave him the book.” This mistake can make the sentence sound awkward and confusing, especially if the context is unclear.

2. Using “Give” Instead Of “Make”

Another mistake is using “give” instead of “make” when referring to creating or producing something. For example, saying “I gave a cake for the party” instead of “I made a cake for the party.” This mistake can also cause confusion and make the sentence sound unnatural.

3. Using “Make” Or “Give” Incorrectly In Idiomatic Expressions

There are many idiomatic expressions that use “make” or “give,” and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion. For example, saying “I gave a try to the new restaurant” instead of “I gave the new restaurant a try” or “I made a favor for my friend” instead of “I did a favor for my friend.” It is important to use these expressions correctly to avoid confusion.

4. Using The Wrong Prepositions

Another common mistake is using the wrong prepositions with “make” or “give.” For example, saying “I made a mistake on the report” instead of “I made a mistake in the report” or “I gave a presentation to the board” instead of “I gave a presentation for the board.” Using the wrong preposition can make the sentence sound awkward and confusing.

To avoid these common mistakes, it is important to understand the differences between “make” and “give” and to use them correctly in context. Here are some tips:

• Think about the meaning of the sentence before using “make” or “give.”
• Check if there are any idiomatic expressions that use “make” or “give.”
• Use the correct prepositions with “make” or “give.”
• Read the sentence out loud to check if it sounds natural.

Context Matters

Choosing between “make” and “give” can depend heavily on the context in which they are used. While both words can imply the act of providing something to someone, the connotations and implications of each word can vary greatly depending on the situation.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are a few examples of different contexts and how the choice between “make” and “give” might change:

Context: Gift-Giving

• Make: When giving a gift, “make” might be used to imply that the gift was created or crafted by the giver. For example, “I made this scarf for you.”
• Give: Alternatively, “give” might be used to imply that the gift was purchased or acquired by the giver. For example, “I gave you this book as a present.”

Context: Food and Drink

• Make: In the context of food and drink, “make” might be used to imply that the item was prepared or cooked by the person speaking. For example, “I made this lasagna for dinner.”
• Give: Alternatively, “give” might be used to imply that the item was served or provided by the person speaking. For example, “I’ll give you a glass of water.”

Context: Instructions

• Make: When giving instructions, “make” might be used to imply that the listener should create or construct something. For example, “Make sure to build the frame before attaching the shelves.”
• Give: Alternatively, “give” might be used to imply that the listener should receive or take something. For example, “Give me your hand so I can help you up.”

Overall, the choice between “make” and “give” can depend heavily on the context in which they are used. Understanding the nuances and implications of each word can help you choose the most appropriate option for your specific situation.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using ‘make’ and ‘give’ are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they might not apply. Let’s take a closer look at these exceptions and explore some explanations and examples for each case.

Exception 1: Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a different meaning than the literal meanings of the words used. In some cases, these expressions may require the use of ‘make’ or ‘give’ even if it doesn’t follow the general rules.

For example, the idiomatic expression ‘make a decision’ is commonly used instead of ‘give a decision’. Similarly, we say ‘give a hand’ instead of ‘make a hand’ when we are offering help, and ‘make a face’ instead of ‘give a face’ when we are expressing disapproval.

Exception 2: Collocations

Collocations are words that often go together in a language. In some cases, the use of ‘make’ or ‘give’ may depend on the specific collocation being used.

For instance, we use ‘give’ with certain collocations related to advice, such as ‘give advice’, ‘give a suggestion’, and ‘give a recommendation’. On the other hand, we use ‘make’ with collocations related to plans, such as ‘make a plan’, ‘make arrangements’, and ‘make a reservation’.

Exception 3: Regional Differences

The rules for using ‘make’ and ‘give’ can also vary depending on the region or country where the language is spoken. For example, in British English, it is common to use ‘make’ with tea or coffee, as in ‘make a cup of tea’ or ‘make some coffee’. In American English, however, it is more common to use ‘brew’ or ‘fix’ instead of ‘make’.

Exception 4: Contextual Usage

Finally, the use of ‘make’ or ‘give’ may depend on the specific context in which they are being used. For example, we might say ‘give a speech’ when referring to a formal presentation, but ‘make a speech’ when referring to a more casual or impromptu talk.

Similarly, we use ‘give’ when referring to gifts or donations, such as ‘give a present’ or ‘give to charity’. However, we use ‘make’ when referring to something that is created or produced, such as ‘make a cake’ or ‘make a painting’.

Exception	Explanation	Example
Idiomatic Expressions	Phrases that have a different meaning than the literal meanings of the words used	‘Make a decision’ instead of ‘give a decision’
Collocations	Words that often go together in a language	‘Make a plan’ instead of ‘give a plan’
Regional Differences	Variations in language usage depending on the region or country	‘Make a cup of tea’ in British English, ‘brew a cup of coffee’ in American English
Contextual Usage	The use of ‘make’ or ‘give’ may depend on the specific context	‘Give a speech’ for a formal presentation, ‘make a speech’ for a more casual talk

Practice Exercises

Learning how to use “make” and “give” correctly can be challenging, but with practice, it can become second nature. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and usage of these two verbs:

Exercise 1: Choose The Correct Verb

Choose the correct verb (make or give) to complete each sentence:

Sentence	Verb
Can you __________ me a hand with this box?	give
I need to __________ a doctor’s appointment.	make
She always __________ excuses for not coming to work.	makes
He __________ me a birthday card every year.	gives
She __________ a delicious cake for the party.	made
Can you __________ me a favor and water my plants while I’m away?	give
He always __________ me laugh.	makes
She __________ her son a new toy for his birthday.	gave
I’m going to __________ a sandwich for lunch.	make

Answer key:

• give
• make
• makes
• gives
• made
• give
• makes
• gave
• make

Exercise 2: Fill In The Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “make” or “give”:

1. She always __________ me a hard time about my messy room.
2. He __________ a lot of money to charity every year.
3. I’m going to __________ a cake for the party.
4. Can you __________ me a minute to think about it?
5. She __________ me a hug when I was feeling sad.
6. He __________ me laugh with his funny jokes.
7. They __________ us a warm welcome when we arrived.
8. She __________ me a dirty look when I accidentally bumped into her.
9. I need to __________ a decision soon.

Answer key:

1. gives
2. gives
3. make
4. give
5. gave
6. makes
7. gave
8. gave
9. make

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and usage of “make” and “give” in sentences. Keep practicing and you’ll soon be a master of these verbs!

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “make” and “give,” it is clear that these two verbs have distinct meanings and uses in the English language. While “make” is often used to describe the creation or construction of something, “give” is used to describe the act of providing or donating something to someone else.

It is important for English language learners to understand the nuances of these verbs in order to communicate effectively and accurately. By using “make” and “give” appropriately, speakers can avoid confusion and ensure that their message is clear.

Key Takeaways

• “Make” is used to describe the creation or construction of something
• “Give” is used to describe the act of providing or donating something to someone else
• Using these verbs appropriately can improve communication and avoid confusion

Overall, developing a strong understanding of grammar and language use is crucial for effective communication in any language. By continuing to learn and practice, English language learners can improve their skills and confidently navigate the complexities of the English language.