make up games

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make up games" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of creating or inventing games, often in a playful or imaginative context. Example: "During recess, the children love to make up games that involve running and teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

We make up games to go with that day's costume.

Huffington Post

"He'd make up games and his own rules.

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes we talk, or make up games, or sing.

The Guardian - Travel

The teams used a scheduled day off to make up games that were postponed from Aug. 27 and 28.

The New York Times - Sports

The children tell stories and make up games in the cramped foyer, taking breaks to eavesdrop on adult conversation.

The New York Times - Books

E1 SPORTS D1-8 N.F.L. to Make Up Games The league will play its full 16-game regular season schedule.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"We made up games," Mrs. O'Malley said.

The New York Times

We made up games, and the kids performed little plays about bees and flowers being friends.

Vice

You're making up games; you're playing doubleheaders".

The New York Times

Do we stop making up games for ourselves and start playing within the rules and goals established by others?

University of California, Berkeley

Jordan did not play basketball until he was 16, but he made up games that stretched him athletically.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing children's activities, use "make up games" to emphasize their creativity and imagination in play.

Common error

Avoid using "make up games" in professional documents. Instead, use more formal alternatives like "develop games" or "design games" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up games" functions as a verb phrase, where "make up" is a phrasal verb meaning to create or invent, and "games" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

32%

HuffPost

11%

Less common in

The New Yorker

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedia Britannica

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make up games" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of inventing or creating games. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is widely used across various contexts, but particularly in informal and neutral settings such as news articles and general discussions about recreation. The phrase is most frequently used in the context of children's activities and entertainment, highlighting creativity and imagination. While acceptable, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "develop games" or "design games" in professional or academic documents. Overall, "make up games" is a versatile phrase that effectively conveys the concept of game creation in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invent games

Focuses more on the act of creating something entirely new.

create games

A more general term for bringing games into existence.

devise games

Suggests a more planned or strategic approach to game creation.

design games

Emphasizes the structural and functional aspects of game creation.

formulate games

Implies a systematic and structured process of creating games.

conceive games

Highlights the initial stage of imagining or thinking up games.

develop games

Suggests a gradual and progressive process of creating and refining games.

originate games

Emphasizes the point of origin or initial creation of games.

improvise games

Focuses on creating games spontaneously and without preparation.

ad-lib games

Similar to improvise, highlighting the spontaneous creation of games on the spot.

FAQs

How can I use "make up games" in a sentence?

You can say "The children love to make up games during recess", or "We often make up games to entertain ourselves on long car rides".

What can I say instead of "make up games"?

You can use alternatives like "invent games", "create games", or "devise games" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "making up games"?

Yes, "making up games" is the present participle form, often used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. For example, "They are always making up games to play".

What's the difference between "make up games" and "play games"?

"Make up games" refers to the act of creating new games, while "play games" refers to participating in existing games. For instance, "They like to make up games, and then they play them".