What Does “Make towards sb” Mean?
“Make towards sb” means to move in the direction of someone, often with a purpose or intention.
Introduction
The phrase “make towards sb” is commonly used in English to describe moving or heading in the direction of a person. It often implies an intentional movement, whether physical, like walking or running, or metaphorical, such as making progress towards someone’s goals or feelings. Understanding the make towards sb meaning helps learners recognize when someone is approaching or aiming at another person. This phrase is useful in everyday conversations, storytelling, and descriptive writing. Knowing how to use “make towards sb” correctly will improve your English fluency and comprehension.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: make towards somebody
- Type: Intransitive (usually)
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To move in the direction of someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Make towards sb” is generally inseparable, meaning you cannot put an object between “make” and “towards.” The structure is:
- Subject + make + towards + somebody
Example: He made towards the door.
It is used with a preposition “towards,” so the verb and the preposition stay together.
How to Use “Make towards sb”?
You use “make towards sb” when describing movement heading in someone’s direction. It can be physical movement, such as walking or running, or figurative when describing progress or approach in a situation. The phrase often appears in narratives or descriptions.
For example, if someone is walking across a room to talk to another person, you can say, “She made towards him.” It shows the direction of movement clearly.
Examples
Imagine you see a person walking quickly across a park to meet a friend. You could say:
- She made towards him as soon as she saw him.
- He made towards the exit when he heard the alarm.
- The dog made towards its owner happily.
- After the meeting, she made towards the manager to ask a question.
- The child made towards the playground eagerly.
These examples show how “make towards sb” is used in natural contexts to describe movement.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “make towards sb” with other phrasal verbs or use it incorrectly by separating the verb and preposition:
- Incorrect: He made the door towards.
- Correct: He made towards the door.
- Incorrect: She made towards him quickly. (This is correct; just avoid changing the order)
Remember, “make towards” must be followed by a person or place, not an object placed between the words.
Differences / Synonyms
“Make towards sb” is similar to phrases like “move towards sb” or “head towards sb,” but with slight differences. “Make towards” often sounds more formal or literary.
- Move towards sb: More common in everyday speech.
- Head towards sb: Informal, emphasizes direction.
- Make towards sb: Slightly formal, often used in written English.
All mean going in the direction of someone, but “make towards” can imply intention or purpose more strongly.
Common Collocations
When using “make towards sb,” it often pairs with these common objects or places:
- Make towards the door: Moving in the direction of the door.
- Make towards the exit: Heading for the exit.
- Make towards a person: Approaching someone.
- Make towards the stage: Moving in the direction of the stage.
- Make towards the car: Going to the car.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of make towards sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “make towards sb”:
Anna: Look, John is making towards the group. I think he wants to join us.
Mike: Yes, he seems eager to talk. Let’s wait for him here.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with “make towards”:
- When the bell rang, the students _________ the door quickly.
- She ___________ her friend to ask for help.
- The cat _________ the open window and jumped outside.
- After the speech, he _________ the microphone to answer questions.
FAQs
- Q: Can “make towards sb” be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “He made towards her yesterday.” - Q: Is “make towards sb” formal or informal?
A: It is slightly formal and often used in writing. - Q: Can I say “make towards something”?
A: Yes, you can say “make towards the door” or any place. - Q: Is “make towards” separable?
A: No, you cannot separate “make” and “towards.” - Q: What is a synonym for “make towards sb”?
A: “Move towards sb” or “head towards sb.”
