Understanding ‘Make’ vs. ‘Makes’: A Guide to Subject-Verb Agreement in English

EllieB

Ever been puzzled by the English language and its quirky rules? You’re not alone. Today, we’ll investigate into one such conundrum: the difference between ‘make’ and ‘makes’. This seemingly simple question has tripped up many a non-native speaker (and even some native ones).

Understanding “Make” and “Makes”

Let’s investigate deeper into the specifics of these two commonly used words in English language.

Definition and Usage of “Make”

In simple terms, ‘make’ is a verb. It finds use to describe an action or process resulting in creation or change. For example, you’d say, “I make coffee every morning.” Here ‘make’ indicates that you are performing the action of creating something i.e., coffee.
Besides, when paired with nouns denoting plans (such as decision) or speech acts like promise/ suggestion etc., it emphasizes their resultative nature; for instance: They made a plan after thorough discussion.

It also gets employed metaphorically at times indicating causation such as – The news makes me happy where ‘makes’ causes happiness.

As observed from examples above,the word ‘make’ suits plural subjects like I/we/you/they perfectly well but doesn’t quite fit with singular ones except first person singular pronoun-‘I’.

Definition and Usage of “Makes”

On flipping side stands its counterpart-“makes”. An s-appendage distinguishes this version morphologically which we attribute grammatically to its usage strictly with third-person singular subjects such as he/she/it/name/etc.

For example: She makes cakes on Sundays effectively captures her regular cake-making ritual while complying to subject-verb agreement rules embedded deeply within syntax stratum English grammar follows up on dutifully.

One might ask though,”What if there’s more than one baker?” Then it reverts back to form without ‘s’: They make cupcakes for charity events wherein they implies multiple individuals involved in cupcake making process

Grammatical Rules for “Make” and “Makes”

As you investigate deeper into the intricacies of English grammar, it’s important to understand some key rules. These rules govern how verbs like ‘make’ or ‘makes’ function in sentences.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a cornerstone of grammatical accuracy. It dictates that singular subjects need singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs.

In this context, consider the verb ‘make.’ When using first-person (I), second person (you) or third person plural pronouns (they/we), use ‘make’. For instance:

1. I make cakes every weekend.
2. You make great suggestions!
3. They make a lovely couple.

But, when dealing with third-person singular pronouns such as he/she/it – opt for ‘makes’.

Examples include:

1. He makes amazing coffee.
2. She makes excellent points during discussions.
   3.She usually makes dinner at home.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Grammatical errors can occur frequently if these norms aren’t followed diligently! One common mistake involves misusing “makes” instead of “make,” especially in questions and negative statements.

For example,
Incorrect: Does they makes noise?
Correct: Do they make noise?

Another prevalent error lies in negating expressions; people often confuse between doesn’t/don’t usage along with ‘makes/make’. Here’s an illustrative example,

Incorrect: He don’t make mistakes
Correct :He doesn’t make mistakes

Contextual Examples of “Make” and “Makes”

In the journey to perfect your English language skills, it’s crucial to grasp the proper usage of verbs like ‘make’ and ‘makes’. Remember, consistency in subject-verb agreement forms an essential part of fluent communication. Now let’s investigate into practical examples that demonstrate how these words are used in context.

Using “Make” in Sentences

‘Make’, as a verb, pairs with plural subjects or singular pronouns other than third-person singular ones. Take note of these illustrative sentences:

1. We make our decisions after thorough discussions.
2. You always make me smile with your jokes.
3. They frequently make trips overseas for business purposes.
4. I often make sandwiches for lunch.

In each instance above, observe how ‘make’ fits seamlessly when paired with different pronouns – we (first person), you (second person), they (third person) and I (first person).

Using “Makes” in Sentences

On the flip side, ‘makes’ is typically coupled with third-person singular subjects such as he/she/it/name(s). Let’s explore some real-life scenarios below:

1.He makes, excellent points during debates – his arguments are solid!
2.A well-maintained car usually never ˋbreaks down; instead; it consistently ´´runs smoothly`` 3.It constantly ‘makes” annoying sounds which interrupt my focus on work
4.My neighbor´s dog rarely barks yet occasionally “creates noise“`

The commonality across all instances lies within their structure: they feature a single entity performing actions hence calling upon “‘create” . These illustrations should provide clarity about appropriate use cases between “‘generate ”and ’ creates’.

Conclusion

Exploring the use of ‘make’ and ‘makes’ is now easier. You’ve learned that these words hinge on subject-verb agreement, using ‘make’ with plural subjects or singular pronouns like I, you, we; while opting for ‘makes’ when dealing with third-person singular subjects. The examples shared have showcased correct usage in context – from statements to questions and negatives. It’s no longer a mystery why it’s “he makes” but “they make”. Remembering this will help improve your English communication skills dramatically! So keep practicing because mastering such subtleties truly makes all the difference!