Bring vs. Make

Attribute	Bring	Make
Definition	To carry or convey something to a place	To create or produce something
Usage	Typically used when referring to transporting objects or people	Commonly used when talking about creating or constructing something
Direction	Implies movement towards the speaker or a specific location	Implies the act of creating or forming something
Result	Bringing something results in its physical presence in a new location	Making something results in the creation of a new object or product

Definition and Usage

Bring and make are two commonly used verbs in the English language, but they have distinct meanings and usages. Bring is used when something is being transported from one place to another, while make is used when something is being created or produced. For example, you would bring a gift to a party, but you would make a cake for the party. Understanding the differences between bring and make can help you communicate more effectively in English.

Transitivity

One key difference between bring and make is their transitivity. Bring is a transitive verb, which means it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. For example, in the sentence "Please bring me a glass of water," the direct object is "a glass of water." Make, on the other hand, can be both transitive and intransitive. In the sentence "She made a delicious dinner," make is transitive because it has a direct object (a delicious dinner). However, in the sentence "He makes breakfast every morning," make is intransitive because there is no direct object.

Directionality

Another important distinction between bring and make is their directionality. Bring implies movement towards the speaker or the location of the speaker, while make does not have this directional component. For example, if you say "Please bring the book to me," the book is being brought towards you. In contrast, if you say "She made a painting," there is no inherent directionality in the action of making a painting.

Agent and Patient

Bring and make also differ in terms of the agent and patient involved in the action. Bring typically involves a person or object that is the agent of the action, while make involves a person or object that is the patient of the action. For example, in the sentence "He brought his dog to the park," the dog is the agent that is being brought to the park. In the sentence "She made a dress," the dress is the patient that is being created by the action of making.

Collocations

Bring and make are often used in specific collocations that have become idiomatic in English. For example, bring is commonly used in phrases like "bring about," "bring up," and "bring down." These collocations have specific meanings that may not be immediately obvious based on the individual words. Make is also used in various collocations, such as "make up," "make out," and "make do." Understanding these collocations can help you use bring and make more accurately in your writing and speaking.

Common Mistakes

Because bring and make have distinct meanings and usages, they are often confused by English learners. One common mistake is using bring when make is the correct verb to use. For example, saying "I will bring a decision" is incorrect; the correct phrase is "I will make a decision." Another common mistake is using make when bring is the appropriate verb. For instance, saying "Please make the book to me" is incorrect; the correct phrase is "Please bring the book to me." Being aware of these common mistakes can help you avoid errors in your English usage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bring and make are two verbs in English that have distinct meanings and usages. Bring is used when something is being transported from one place to another, while make is used when something is being created or produced. Understanding the differences between bring and make in terms of transitivity, directionality, agent and patient, collocations, and common mistakes can help you use these verbs more effectively in your writing and speaking. By mastering the nuances of bring and make, you can enhance your communication skills and express yourself more clearly in English.