What Does “Make sth of sth” Mean?
“Make sth of sth” means to understand, interpret, or form an opinion about something. It often refers to how someone perceives or values a situation, object, or information.
Introduction
The phrase “Make sth of sth” is a common English expression used when talking about how people interpret or judge something. The “sth” stands for “something,” so the phrase literally means to make or form an opinion or meaning of something else. Understanding the “Make sth of sth meaning” helps learners use it correctly in conversations and writing. This phrase is flexible and appears in various contexts, from casual chats to formal discussions. It helps express opinions, reactions, or the value someone assigns to a situation or object.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Make something of something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To interpret, understand, or form an opinion about something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Make sth of sth” is a transitive phrasal verb. It is inseparable, which means you cannot place the object between “make” and “of”. The pattern is:
- Make + something + of + something
Examples:
- She made a lot of sense of his confusing explanation.
- Can you make anything of this old letter?
How to Use “Make sth of sth”?
You use “Make sth of sth” when you want to say how you understand or judge something. It might be a message, a situation, or an object. It often appears in questions or statements about opinions or interpretations.
For example, if someone sends you a strange message, you might ask, “What do you make of this?” meaning “What do you think this means?”
Examples
Here are some natural examples to help you understand how to use “Make sth of sth in a sentence”:
- I don’t know what to make of his behavior lately.
- She made a lot of meaning of the old photograph.
- Did you make anything of the strange noises last night?
- He made little of the problem, thinking it was not serious.
- What do you make of the new policy changes?
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the word order or try to separate the phrase incorrectly. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: I made of the story something important.
- Correct: I made something of the story.
- Incorrect: Can you make of this anything?
- Correct: Can you make anything of this?
Remember, the phrase is inseparable, so keep the object together before “of.”
Differences / Synonyms
Other phrases like “figure out,” “interpret,” or “understand” can be similar to “make sth of sth.” However, “make sth of sth” often implies forming an opinion or judgment, not just understanding.
- Make sth of sth – form an opinion or interpretation.
- Figure out – find a solution or understand something clearly.
- Interpret – explain the meaning, often in a formal way.
Example: “I can’t figure out this puzzle” (finding a solution) vs. “What do you make of his attitude?” (forming an opinion).
Common Collocations
Some common objects used with “make sth of sth” include:
- Sense – to understand something clearly.
- Use – to find a purpose or value.
- Meaning – to interpret the importance.
- Nothing – to think something is unimportant.
- Much – to value something highly.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of make sth of sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation showing how to use “make sth of sth”:
Anna: I found this old letter in the attic. What do you make of it?
Ben: It seems like a love letter from the 1940s. I think it’s quite special.
Anna: Yes, I didn’t expect to find something so meaningful.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “make sth of sth”:
- What do you ________ of the new movie?
- I can’t ________ of this strange message.
- She didn’t ________ much of his excuse.
- Can you ________ anything of this puzzle?
FAQs
- Q: Is “make sth of sth” formal or informal?
A: It is used in both formal and informal English. - Q: Can I separate the words in “make sth of sth”?
A: No, it is inseparable; keep the object before “of.” - Q: What does “make nothing of sth” mean?
A: It means to think something is unimportant or worthless. - Q: Can “make sth of sth” mean to create something?
A: No, it usually means to interpret or form an opinion, not to create. - Q: What is the difference between “make sth of sth” and “figure out”?
A: “Make sth of sth” is about forming an opinion; “figure out” means solving or understanding clearly.
