What Does “Make towards sth” Mean?
“Make towards sth” means to move in the direction of something or to head toward a specific goal or place.
Introduction
The phrase “make towards sth” is a common phrasal verb in English that describes movement or progress in the direction of something. Whether you are physically moving toward a location or figuratively moving toward a goal, this expression fits well. Understanding the “make towards sth meaning” helps learners describe actions clearly and naturally. This phrase is useful in both everyday conversations and formal contexts, making it a versatile part of your English vocabulary.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: make towards something
- Type: Intransitive (usually followed by a preposition and object)
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: Move or head in the direction of something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Make towards sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate “make” and “towards” with the object. The structure is:
- Subject + make + towards + object
- Example: She made towards the exit quickly.
The object (something) always follows the preposition “towards.”
How to Use “Make towards sth”?
You use “make towards sth” when you want to describe moving physically or metaphorically in the direction of a place, person, or goal. It often implies intentional movement or progress. For example, you can say “make towards the door” to describe someone walking to the door, or “make towards success” to describe working hard to achieve success.
Examples
Imagine you are watching someone leave a room. You could say, “He made towards the door quietly.” Here are more examples of “make towards sth in a sentence”:
- After the meeting, she made towards the parking lot.
- The boat made towards the shore despite the strong wind.
- They made towards the goal with determination and hope.
- When the alarm rang, everyone made towards the emergency exit.
- The company is making towards a greener future by using renewable energy.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the order or omit “towards,” which changes the meaning or makes the sentence incorrect. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: She made the door towards.
- Correct: She made towards the door.
- Incorrect: They made towards quickly.
- Correct: They made quickly towards the exit.
Remember, “towards” must always follow “make,” and the object must come after “towards.”
Differences / Synonyms
“Make towards sth” is similar to “head towards,” “move towards,” and “go towards.” However, “make towards” often sounds a bit more formal or descriptive, especially in writing. “Head towards” is more common in spoken English.
- Make towards: Formal or descriptive, often used in narratives.
- Head towards: Casual, common in everyday speech.
- Move towards: Neutral, can be physical or figurative.
- Go towards: Simple and widely used.
For example, “He made towards the exit” and “He headed towards the exit” mean the same but differ slightly in tone.
Common Collocations
Here are some common objects used with “make towards” and their meanings:
- Make towards the door: Move in the direction of the door.
- Make towards the exit: Head for the exit.
- Make towards the shore: Move toward the land from water.
- Make towards a goal: Work or move in the direction of achieving a goal.
- Make towards success: Progress to achieve success.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of make towards sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “make towards sth”:
Anna: The movie just ended. Should we leave now?
Ben: Yes, let’s make towards the exit before it gets crowded.
Anna: Good idea. I don’t want to get stuck in the crowd.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “make towards”:
- After the concert, they _______ the parking lot quickly.
- We should _______ the nearest shelter before the storm arrives.
- She _______ success after years of hard work.
- The hikers _______ the mountain peak at dawn.
FAQs
- What does “make towards sth” mean? It means to move or head in the direction of something.
- Is “make towards sth” formal or informal? It is more formal or descriptive but can be used in everyday English.
- Can “make towards” be separated? No, the verb and preposition must stay together with the object after “towards.”
- What are synonyms of “make towards sth”? Head towards, move towards, go towards.
- Can “make towards” be used figuratively? Yes, it can describe progress toward goals or achievements.
