Collocations are words that usually go together in English.

Here we are going to look at words that go with the verb 'make' to make useful and popular expressions you will hear in social and professional contexts.

Make contact

To make contact simply means to communicate with somebody.

Examples

• Could you make contact with the printing company and tell them about the changes in the flyer?
• I haven't heard from my brother in a while I think I'll make contact with him this evening and organise for us to go to dinner.

Make a difference

When you make a difference, you have an impact on something or someone, usually a positive one.

Examples

• Paul has made a huge difference to the team. Our sales have increased considerably.
• How can we make a difference to the customers shopping experience in the store?

Make a mistake

We all make mistakes from time to time when we get something wrong.

Examples

• If you make a mistake with a client's order, it is important to make it up to them.
• Please don't make a mistake with the accounts. Our budget is very tight for this project!

Make noise

When someone is creating sound we can use the collocation 'make noise'. This is different to the idiom 'make all the right noises', which you will find in our Expressions Database.

Examples

• My neighbours always make noise early on Saturday morning when I am trying to sleep.
• Open plan offices are not effective because co-workers make noise which distracts other workers.

Make a mess

To make a mess means to ruin something, or make many mistakes. It can also be used to describe something untidy or disorganised.

Examples

• I can't ask Paula to give the presentation. She made a mess of her speech the last time.
• I am sorry for how the office looks. The builders make a mess when they are working!