makes

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "makes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something causes something else to happen. For example: The sound of the thunderstorm outside makes me feel anxious.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unlike the most reliable form of protection, a condom, it is the woman, not the man, who makes the ultimate choice about whether to use the gel.

The Economist

That makes no sense.

The New York Times

What makes the difference?

The New York Times

That makes sense.

The New York Times

What makes Mark Zuckerberg run?

The New York Times

"It makes the rest of us look bad".

The New York Times

So this sort of makes it alright.

The Guardian

"It makes me very worried for her, because I do not know whether she is alive or where she might be".

The Guardian

The ambulance staff have warned the protesters that their legs have got very cold which makes the blood supply pool in their feet, this could lead them to faint and fall off the ledge.

The Guardian

This makes sense.

The New York Times - Magazine

In many cases, it'll balance the bets it makes on both sides of the trade, so that it's exposed to no risk and it collects the certain profit from the spread.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "makes" to clearly indicate a direct causal relationship between two elements in your sentence. For stronger impact, ensure the subject directly performs the action of "making".

Common error

Instead of saying "The decision was made by the committee", use "The committee makes the decision" for a more direct and active voice. Using active voice with "makes" improves clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "makes" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. It typically indicates that the subject performs an action that results in a specific outcome or state. Ludwig AI confirms its usage as a verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "makes" is a very common and grammatically correct verb used to show a causal relationship or creation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, although it is most frequently found in News & Media. To ensure clarity, it is recommended to use an active voice construct to emphasize the subject's action. Common alternatives include "causes", "creates", and "produces". By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "makes" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causes

Focuses directly on the action of bringing something about, emphasizing causality.

creates

Highlights the act of bringing something new into existence.

produces

Emphasizes the output or result of a process.

generates

Suggests the creation of something, often energy or a feeling.

forms

Implies shaping or giving structure to something.

establishes

Highlights the act of setting something up firmly or permanently.

constitutes

Indicates that something is an element or part of a whole.

results in

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of an action.

contributes to

Suggests playing a part in bringing about a particular result.

gives rise to

Indicates the origination or beginning of something.

FAQs

How to use "makes" in a sentence?

Use "makes" to show how one thing leads to or creates another. For example, "Studying hard "makes a difference"" or "The chef "makes delicious food"."

What can I say instead of "makes"?

Alternatives include "causes", "creates", or "produces", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Makes" is the third-person singular present tense form, used with singular subjects like "he", "she", or "it". "Make" is used with plural subjects like "I", "you", "we", or "they".

What's the difference between "makes" and "making"?

"Makes" is a present tense verb indicating a current action or state. "Making" is a present participle or gerund, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "is making") or as a noun (e.g., "Making mistakes is part of learning").