We use make + object to talk about things that we produce or create:
She made some coffee.
Did you really make this table?
There are many expressions which use this pattern:
make a claim | make a mess | make a speech |
make a complaint | make a mistake | make a start |
make a concession | make a note | make a statement |
make a date | make a phone call | make a wish |
make a difference | make a point | make an appointment |
make a fuss | make a profit/loss | make an effort |
make a list | make a sound | |
Can you make a [O]sandwich [pp with for]for Lisa as well? (or Can you make Lisa a sandwich as well?)
I’ve made an appointment for you at the dentist’s.
We don’t use the preposition to in this pattern with make:
I made pasta for our guests.
Not: I made pasta to our guests.
We can use make meaning ‘force someone (to do something)’. In the active voice, we use it with an infinitive without to:
The boss made me work an extra day.
Not: The boss made me to work …
However, in the passive voice, we must use an infinitive with to:
The people were made to wait outside while the committee reached its decision.