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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
make a fee
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "make a fee" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when to use it, as it does not form a standard expression or concept in English. Example: "We need to make a fee for the service provided" does not make sense.
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
And how about the "fairness opinion" from an investment bank that stands to make a fee on the transaction?
News & Media
Make a fee for your club.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
He said the company plans to make a fee-based music service commercially available within 90 days, roughly the same time frame that the major record companies have set for themselves.
News & Media
In the meantime, the seller of protection makes a fee from the buyer and profits if the company's credit improves.
News & Media
Presently the company makes a fee based on the size of the transaction.
News & Media
Cutting corners is a surefire way to make a lower fee structure work.
News & Media
His firm stood to make a flat fee of more than $1 million for each search.
News & Media
Andrew Hamilton, the vice-chancellor of Oxford, has already argued that the particular costs of an Oxbridge education make a £16,000 fee appropriate.
News & Media
Several executives suggested that new features, like variable pricing or the ability to reserve specific seats, might make a service fee more palatable.
News & Media
"If you make a nominal fee for verifying accounts - they can make sure that the accounts are protected from not only malware-based attacks, but also that staff are more protected from phishing".
News & Media
Many prepaid cards are known for charging fees at every turn -- fees to activate the card, fees to make a purchase, even fees to call customer service.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Instead of "make a fee", use stronger, clearer verbs like "charge", "levy", or "collect" to specify the action related to the fee. For example, "charge a service fee" is more precise than "make a fee for the service."
Common error
Avoid using "make" when referring to fees; it's grammatically unconventional. Stick to verbs that clearly define the action of imposing or earning the fee.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "make a fee" is typically intended to describe the action of either imposing a fee or earning revenue through fees. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is grammatically questionable. Examples in Ludwig show varied contexts, but more common alternatives exist.
Frequent in
News & Media
66%
Wiki
33%
Science
0%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "make a fee" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is not standard English usage. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this assessment. It is better to use clearer and more direct alternatives such as "charge a fee", "levy a fee", or "earn a fee" depending on the intended meaning. These alternatives ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, particularly in professional and academic settings. Although examples can be found in news and media sources, these instances do not validate the correctness of the phrase. Always aim for precision in your writing by selecting the most accurate verb to describe the action related to fees.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
charge a fee
Replaces "make" with the more standard verb "charge" to indicate the action of imposing a fee.
levy a fee
Uses "levy" to suggest a formal or official imposition of a fee.
collect a fee
Emphasizes the action of gathering or receiving payment of a fee.
impose a fee
Highlights the act of establishing or setting a fee.
set a fee
Focuses on the act of determining or establishing the amount of a fee.
earn a fee
Shifts the focus to receiving a fee as payment for services rendered.
generate fee revenue
Highlights the outcome of collecting fees, emphasizing income generation.
derive income from fees
Focuses on obtaining revenue specifically from fees.
assess a fee
Suggests an evaluation or calculation process before imposing a fee.
stipulate a fee
Implies that a fee is specified as part of an agreement or contract.
FAQs
What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "make a fee"?
Instead of "make a fee", use more common and accepted phrases such as "charge a fee", "levy a fee", or "collect a fee".
When is it appropriate to use the phrase "make a fee"?
The phrase "make a fee" is not generally considered standard English. It is more appropriate to use phrases like "charge a fee" or "earn a fee" depending on the context.
How can I clarify the meaning if I'm tempted to use "make a fee"?
If you find yourself wanting to use "make a fee", consider what you're trying to express. If you're imposing a fee, use "charge a fee". If you're receiving a fee for services, use "earn a fee".
Is there a difference between "make a fee" and "charge a fee"?
Yes, "charge a fee" is the standard and accepted way to express imposing a fee for a service or product. "Make a fee" is not a common or grammatically correct phrase.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested