Sign In Get Started
Prepositions after verbs

Make with different prepositions

Make combines with several prepositions, but each pattern has a different meaning. Some combinations are fixed expressions, while others simply add extra information.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct after make?

Use make by for means or deadlines in some expressions, make in for location or material contexts, make for for purpose or destination, make of for material or opinion, and make to in expressions such as make to order.

The sculpture was made of marble.
We need to make a decision by Friday.
This software was made for small businesses.
The dresses are made to order.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
make by + time

Setting a deadline

By can introduce a deadline after make in expressions about completing something.

Can you make the changes by tomorrow?
2
make in + place

Showing where something is produced

In introduces the country, city, or place of production.

The watches are made in Switzerland.
3
make for + purpose/person

Showing intended use

For introduces the purpose or target user.

These shoes are made for long-distance runners.
4
make of + material

Naming the material

Of introduces the substance something consists of.

The table is made of oak.
5
make to + specification

Special fixed expressions

To appears in expressions such as made to order or made to measure.

Each suit is made to measure.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
make by
We must make a final choice by noon.
complete something before a time
make in
The cars are made in Germany.
produced in a place
make for
This guide is made for beginners.
intended for someone or something
make of
The ring is made of silver.
consist of a material
make to
The cabinets were made to order.
produced according to a request

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of for place

Use in for the place where something is produced.

✕ The phones are made of Korea. ✓ The phones are made in Korea.

Using for with materials

Use of to name the material.

✕ The chair is made for wood. ✓ The chair is made of wood.

Overusing make to

To works only in certain expressions such as made to order.

✓ The jackets are made to measure.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The bottles are made ___ recycled glass.
2. This app was made ___ students.
3. Can you make the report ___ Monday?

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between made of and made from?

Made of is used when the original material is still recognizable. Made from is common when the material changes form.

Is made in used for countries?

Yes. Made in commonly introduces a country or place of manufacture.

Can make take no preposition?

Yes. Many uses of make do not need a preposition, such as make dinner or make a mistake.

magnify, by, magnify, in "maintain by" or "maintain in"? "manage by" or "manage to"? manifest in, by, as, into or on? manipulate by, in, for, with or into? mar by, with, at, for or as? march in, to, on, into or through? "mark by" or "mark with"? "market in" or "market to"? "marry to" or "marry in"? masquerade as, under, at or Like? "massacre in" or "massacre by"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account