Make 的使役家族 Have, Get, Let, help + 慣用語

Make 這個字的意思在字典裡達到 30 個以上,相當驚人。然而,熟悉英語套路的人就懂,正因為常用,所以才一直被冠上各種不同的用法以及例外。所以說,愈是一字多義的東西,就愈是道地的英文,自然也是當然的測驗重點。本文整理其最常用的「使役用法」及其比較,再加上 make 的各種慣用語實例。

被動使役

have/get sth P.P. = 讓…被…。例如 I have/get my shirts ironed every week. 此用法暗指是他人幫忙處理,至於這個他人是誰並不重要。注意,get 比較口語。

主動使役

have sb do = 交待…做…。筆者整理各種說法,此解釋最到位且萬用。例如 I have my students put their homework on my desk. 這個「交待」的概念最像 task。例如 My students are tasked with putting their homework on my desk. 注意,task 習慣用被動式,如想要使用主動請寫 have。

get sb to do = 想辦法要…去做…。例如 How do you get your students to listen to you? 可能是使用說服的方法,也可能是設計某人去做什麼。注意,get 要加 to,這在使役動詞裡是特例。筆者推想可能因為 get 要花更多時間去使人行動,所以加上 to 來強調從不動到動的變化。筆者也特地在中文翻譯上加了「」這個字反應出 to 的概念。

make sb do = 強迫…做…。例如 My boss makes us work overtime on Fridays. 注意,在 make 的狀況下,是沒有其他選擇的。

let sb do = 讓…自由做…。例如 My sister lets me borrow her car if I need it. 這個 let 接非生物也是這個意思。例如 He let his hair grow long.

help sb do = 幫忙…做…。例如 Let me help you carry that box. 也可以利用 with 接名詞 Let me help you with that box.

Make VS Do

Do = 做。例如 do the dishes, do homework, do the hair. 概念上包括了「重覆、多動作、責任」。

Make = 做出。例如 make a decision, make a call, make dinner, make an exception, make an example of (殺雞警猴)。概念上,就是從無到有。只有 make the bed 例外,可能是指創造出一個全新的床。

Make = 制作

  • make sth into sth = 把…做成…。例如 She made the material into a dress.
  • be made of = 用…做的。例如 The box is made of wood.
  • be made from = 從…來的。例如 Cheese is made from milk.

Make Sb

  • make sb adj = 使…變成…。例如 Music makes me happy.
  • make sb sth = 使…成為…。例如 They made her a member of their club.
  • make sb sth = make sth for sb = 給…做…。例如 He made her a toy horse. 也可以寫成 He made a toy horse for her.

Make sth

  • sb make sth = 能成為。例如 You’ll make a good mother = 你將能成為一個好媽媽(最特別)。
  • sth make sth = 能做成。例如 This new building would make a fine school. = 這新建築將能做成一間好學校(最特別)。
  • sth make sth = 完美了。例如 The bright paint really makes the room! 這個用法把正面形容詞整個省掉,將各種美好包進 make 這個字裡。
  • make sth sth = 把…變成…。例如 Don’t make it a habit.
  • make sth adj = 使…變得…。例如 A good teacher makes learning enjoyable.
  • make = equal。例如 Two and two make four.

其他慣用語

make of = 理解。forefront = 風口浪尖

make (good) use of = 利用

make … out of = 從…做出來

what I make out of = 從…做出來的東西

what person be made of = 本事。英語用「是什麼做的」來描述人的本事。吵架時也常看到此用法。例如 Show me what you are made of.

make up sth = 組成(常接 percent

make up sth = 編造

make up (with) = 和好

makeup for = 畫妝品。常見的用法還有 put on makeup for a play。

make believe that 假裝(動詞用法 = pretend

make-believe = 虛幻的,假想的

make up for = 彌補

make it = 成功

make it to sth = 成功到達

make it through = 成功撐過