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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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make said

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make said" is not grammatically correct in written English.
The word "said" is typically used as a verb on its own, without the word "make" before it. However, there are certain instances where "make said" may be used in a poetic or informal context, such as in spoken language or creative writing. In these cases, it is used for emphasis or to add a certain tone to the sentence. For example: - "She made said she would finish the project by tomorrow." - "The king made said that his kingdom would thrive under his rule." - "He made said that he never wanted to see her again." In these sentences, "made said" is used to emphasize the act of speaking, rather than the content of what was said. It can also be used as a combination of "made" and "said" to mean "made a statement" or "declared." In general, it is best to avoid using "make said" in formal or academic writing, and to use "said" as a standalone verb instead.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It is frighteningly easy to make," said Allford.

News & Media

The Guardian

"I have also one comment to make," said Vettel.

"Because of his own actions, it wasn't his call to make," said the spokesman, Glen Caplin.

News & Media

The New York Times

He won't offer insurance to the poorly paid workers who make said time bombs.

News & Media

The New York Times

"What difference does it make?" said Zito, who has won the Derby twice.

"This is a very hard decision for me to make," said Mushtaq.

News & Media

Independent

"I respect the decision they make," said Guan, who signed for a three-over-par 75 that included the penalty.

News & Media

The New York Times

"People like to see the mistakes we make," said David Zayas, a LAByrinth company member who was in the reading.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I don't think people understand the split-second decisions police officers sometime have to make," said his attorney, Julian Murray.

News & Media

Independent

"I was interested to see the difference it would make," said Kirsty, an accountant from south London.

News & Media

Independent

"This is the president's decision to make," said Juleanna Glover Weiss, Mr. Cheney's press secretary.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "make said" in formal writing. Use more appropriate verbs such as "stated", "mentioned", or "declared" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Using "make said" often stems from a misunderstanding of verb conjugation. Remember that "said" is already the past tense of "say". Using "make" before it is redundant and grammatically incorrect. Instead, use only "said" or a more precise verb like "stated".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make said" is grammatically incorrect and does not function as a standard verb phrase in English. As Ludwig AI points out, the use of "make" before "said" is redundant. Therefore, it lacks a defined grammatical role in established language conventions.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make said" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in standard English. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct usage is simply "said" or more appropriate verbs such as "stated", "mentioned", or "declared", depending on the context. The phrase has no real usage across any domain and is considered grammatically unsound. Therefore, writers should opt for grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility in their writing.

FAQs

Is "make said" grammatically correct?

No, "make said" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct usage is simply "said" or alternative verbs like "stated", "mentioned", or "declared".

What can I say instead of "make said"?

Instead of "make said", use verbs like "stated", "mentioned", "asserted", or "declared" depending on the context. These alternatives are grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning.

Which is correct, "make said" or "said"?

"Said" is the correct form. "Make said" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Use "said" or alternative verbs like "remarked" or "expressed".

Why is "make said" considered incorrect?

"Make said" is incorrect because "said" is already the past tense of the verb "say". Adding "make" before it creates a redundant and grammatically unsound construction. Use only "said" or another appropriate verb.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Most frequent sentences: