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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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make a fee

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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

Forbes

Make a fee for your club.

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

The New York Times

In the meantime, the seller of protection makes a fee from the buyer and profits if the company's credit improves.

News & Media

The New York Times

Presently the company makes a fee based on the size of the transaction.

News & Media

Forbes

Cutting corners is a surefire way to make a lower fee structure work.

News & Media

The New York Times

His firm stood to make a flat fee of more than $1 million for each search.

News & Media

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

Several executives suggested that new features, like variable pricing or the ability to reserve specific seats, might make a service fee more palatable.

"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

BBC

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

The New York Times
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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

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.

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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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: