Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'make' for forcing and 'let' for allowing, followed by an object and a base verb without 'to'.
- Use 'make' + person + base verb for obligation: 'She made me study.'
- Use 'let' + person + base verb for permission: 'He let me go.'
- Never use 'to' before the second verb: 'Make him stay' (not 'to stay').
Overview
make) 이유나, 절친이 넷플릭스 비번을 알려주는(let) 상황에 대해 생각해본 적 있어? 이 두 동사는 영어 문법의 '상사'와 '절친' 같은 존재야. 이 동사들은 다른 사람의 행동을 제어하지만, 거의 모든 사람이 실수하는 비밀 규칙이 하나 있지.He made me to go라고 말해본 적 있다면, 너도 'to' 함정에 빠진 거야. 이번 가이드에서는 그 불필요한
to를 지워버리고, 이 실력파 동사들이 실생활에서 어떻게 쓰이는지 알아볼 거야. 틱톡을 보든 줌 회의에서 살아남으려 애쓰든, 영향력과 허락에 대해 말하려면 이 동사들이 꼭 필요해.make와 let은 사역 동사야. 이건 어떤 행동이 일어나게 '원인(cause)'을 제공한다는 걸 근사하게 표현한 말이지. 하지만 이 동사들은 '원형 부정사(bare infinitive)' 동사이기도 해. 즉, 뒤에 오는 동사는 아무것도 걸치지 않은 상태여야 해—to는 절대 안 돼!Make는 압박에 관한 거야. 누군가 원하지 않을 수도 있는 일을 억지로 하게 만드는 걸 의미해. 권위적인 사람, 부모님, 그리고 짜증 나는 체육 선생님의 문법이지.Let은 허락에 관한 거야. 누군가에게 '초록불'을 켜주는 거지. 자유, 친절한 친구, 그리고 앱 설정의 문법이야.
The app let me to sign in이라고 하면 1995년에서 온 로봇처럼 들릴 거야. 하지만
The app let me sign in이라고 하면 전문가처럼 들리지.
made)하고, 자기만의 공간을 절대 허락(let)해주지 않았거든!How This Grammar Works
make나 let), 행동을 받는 사람, 그리고 그 행동 자체.to를 쓰지 마.- 틀린 예:
She made me to clean.
- 맞는 예:
She made me clean.
make와 let을 to라는 단어를 밀어내는 자석이라고 생각해 봐. 문장 안에 to가 있는 걸 정말 싫어하거든.Make는 형용사와도 함께 쓰일 수 있어. This song makes me happy라고 말할 수 있지. 여기엔 동사가 아예 필요 없어. 하지만
let은 무엇이 허락되는지 보여주기 위해 거의 항상 동사 원형이 필요해.Allow notifications to send라고 되어 있지 않지? 보통
Let this app send notifications라고 되어 있을 거야. (물론 기술적으로 앱들은 'allow'를 더 많이 쓰지만, 그 차이점은 나중에 얘기해 줄게!)
makes). 정말 강압적인 가구라니까.
Formation Pattern
make나 let 동사를 추가해 (시제에 맞게 *makes, made, letting*으로 변형해).
to는 쓰지 마).
Conjugation Table
| Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Present Simple | He makes me laugh. |
그는 나를 웃게 해요. |
| Past Simple | They let us enter. |
그들은 우리가 들어오는 걸 허락했어요. |
| Continuous | She is making him stay. |
그녀는 그를 머물게 하고 있어요. |
| Future | I will let you know. |
내가 알려줄게요. |
Politeness Levels
- **Formal
**
The manager made the staff attend the seminar. (직설적이고 권위적임)
- **Neutral
**
My parents let me travel alone. (일반적인 허락)
- **Casual/Slang
**
TikTok made me buy it! (소셜 미디어에서 유행하는 제품을 샀을 때 아주 흔히 쓰는 표현)
When To Use It
make를 사용해. 선생님이 숙제를 해야 한다고 하면, 선생님이 너에게 숙제를 시키는(makes) 거야. 비가 와서 못 나간다면, 비가 너를 집에 머물게(makes) 만드는 거지. 요구 사항, 법, 그리고 강한 감정적 반응(예: You make me smile)을 말할 때 아주 좋아.let을 사용해. 룸메이트가 피자를 먹어도 된다고 하면, 피자를 먹게 해주는(let) 거야. 웹사이트에서 영상을 볼 수 있게 해주면, 보게 해주는(lets) 거지.let 모먼트야! 하지만 표가 없어서 보안 요원이 나가라고 한다면, 그건 make 모먼트지.let을 써봐! "Let's go«는 »Let us go"를 줄인 말일 뿐이야.let). 사실은 강아지가 나를 바닥에서 자게 만드는(makes) 거지만 말이야. 이제 누가 권력을 가졌지?
Common Mistakes
- 1'To' 함정: 앞서 말했듯이,
to를 붙이는 게 1등 실수야.
- ✗ My boss made me to work late.
- ✓ My boss made me work late.
- 1'-ing' 오류: 어떤 사람들은 동명사를 쓰려고 해.
- ✗ She let me going out.
- ✓ She let me go out.
- 1'Make'와 'Do' 혼동하기: 기억해,
make는 어떤 행동을 유발하는 거야.do someone go라고 하지 않고,make someone go라고 해. - 2Passive Voice Confusion: 이건 좀 고급 단계인데,
make를 수동태로 쓰면to가 다시 살아나!
I was made to clean my room.
- 지금은 너무 걱정하지 마. 나중에 B2 레벨을 위해 아껴두자고!
made), 의자를 쓰게 해주는(let) 건 깜빡하셨거든.Contrast With Similar Patterns
allow나 force와 헷갈리기 쉬워.Letvs.Allow: 의미는 같지만,allow는to가 꼭 필요해.He
vs.letme go.He
allowedme to go.Makevs.Force: 둘 다 선택권이 없다는 뜻이지만,force는to가 꼭 필요해.She
vs.mademe stay.She
forcedme to stay.Help: 이건 반항아 같은 동사야. 양쪽 다 가능하거든!He helped me wash the car
또는He helped me to wash the car.
둘 다 괜찮아!
make와 let은 다른 거의 모든 영어 동사들이 따르는 표준적인 to + 동사 규칙을 따르기 싫어하는 '쿨한 애들'이라고 보면 돼.Quick FAQ
사물에도 let을 쓸 수 있어?
응! "Don't let the water boil over."
made me는 항상 부정적이야?
전혀!
You make me want to be a better person은 아주 고전적인 로맨틱 대사야.
"Let's"는 뭐야?
Let us의 축약형이야. 그룹으로 제안할 때 쓰여.
부탁할 때 make를 써도 돼?
아니, make는 의무를 암시해. 친구가 널 위해 무언가를 해준다면, 너에게 도움을 주거나(let you use their help) 그냥 해주는 거야.
let의 과거형은 뭐야?
똑같이 let이야!
Yesterday, she let me use her car.
Make me!라고 하면 무례해?
응, «억지로 시키지 않는 이상 안 할 거야»라는 뜻의 아주 어린애 같은 표현이야.
Memory Trick
L.M. No-To 법칙을 기억해 봐.
L (Let) + M (Make) = No To.
make와 let을 가위라고 상상해 봐. 문장에서 to라는 단어를 볼 때마다 싹둑 잘라버리는 거지!
Conjugating the Causative Verb
| Tense | Subject | Causative Verb | Object | Base Verb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
He
|
makes
|
me
|
laugh
|
|
Present Continuous
|
They
|
are letting
|
us
|
stay
|
|
Past Simple
|
I
|
made
|
him
|
leave
|
|
Past Continuous
|
She
|
was letting
|
them
|
play
|
|
Future (Will)
|
We
|
will make
|
you
|
understand
|
|
Present Perfect
|
You
|
have let
|
me
|
down
|
|
Past Perfect
|
It
|
had made
|
her
|
angry
|
Common Contractions in Speech
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Let me
|
Lemme
|
Lemme see that.
|
|
Make him
|
Make 'im
|
I'll make 'im pay.
|
|
Let us
|
Let's
|
Let's go now.
|
|
Make them
|
Make 'em
|
Don't make 'em wait.
|
Meanings
These verbs are 'causatives' used to describe how one person influences the actions of another, either by requiring an action or permitting it.
Obligation/Force
To require someone to do something they might not want to do.
“The teacher made the students rewrite their essays.”
“My parents made me apologize to my sister.”
Permission/Allowance
To give someone the opportunity or permission to do something.
“Will you let me borrow your car this weekend?”
“The security guard let us enter the building.”
Causation (Inanimate)
When a situation or thing causes a specific reaction.
“That sad movie always makes me cry.”
“The bright sun makes me squint.”
Reference Table
| 동사 | 의미 | 구조 | 예시 | 반대말 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Make
|
강요하거나 시키다
|
Subject + make + Object + Base Verb
|
The boss *made* her *work* late.
|
Let (또는 allow)
|
|
Let
|
허락하거나 허용하다
|
Subject + let + Object + Base Verb
|
My parents *let* me *go* to the party.
|
Make (또는 prevent)
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
Would you permit me to depart? (Leaving a meeting or party)
Will you let me go? (Leaving a meeting or party)
Can I head out? (Leaving a meeting or party)
Lemme bounce. (Leaving a meeting or party)
Make vs Let: 영향 동사
Make (강제)
- 강요하다 Subject forces Object to Base Verb
- 유발하다 Something causes reaction
- 권위 Boss makes you work
Let (허용)
- 허락하다 Subject allows Object to Base Verb
- 승인하다 Give permission
- 불간섭 Let things happen
공통 구조
- S + V + O + Base Verb The core grammatical pattern
- 'to' 없음 Crucial for following verb
수동태 예외
- Made to He was made to confess
- Allowed to Passive for 'let'
Make vs Let: 빠른 비교
Make와 Let 선택하기
어떤 행동을 강요하거나 시키는 것을 표현하고 싶으신가요?
어떤 행동을 허락하거나 허용하는 것을 표현하고 싶으신가요?
'make'가 수동태로 사용되었나요?
Make & Let의 맥락
강요
- • Work deadlines make us rush.
- • Teachers make students comply.
- • Rules make us follow.
허용
- • Parents let kids play.
- • Friends let you borrow.
- • Security lets you enter.
원인 (감정/반응)
- • Music makes me dance.
- • News makes her happy.
- • Silence makes him nervous.
방지 (부정적 Let)
- • Don't let fears stop you.
- • Don't let him fool you.
- • Don't let the fire spread.
수준별 예문
My teacher makes me work hard.
My teacher forces me to work hard.
Please let me go to the party.
Please give me permission to go to the party.
He makes me happy.
He causes me to feel happy.
Do not let the dog out.
Don't allow the dog to go outside.
She didn't let me finish my sentence.
She interrupted me.
The rain made us stay home all day.
The rain forced us to stay inside.
Will your parents let you stay out late?
Do you have permission to stay out late?
The boss makes everyone arrive at 8 AM.
It is a rule to arrive at 8 AM.
I'll let you know as soon as I hear something.
I will inform you.
The sad ending of the book made me cry.
The book caused me to cry.
Why did you let him drive if he was tired?
Why did you allow him to drive?
They made us wait for three hours at the airport.
We were forced to wait.
Don't let your fears hold you back from trying.
Don't allow fear to stop you.
The new law makes it illegal to smoke here.
The law forces a change in behavior.
She was made to feel unwelcome by her colleagues.
Her colleagues caused her to feel unwelcome (passive).
Let's not let this opportunity slip through our fingers.
We shouldn't allow this chance to be lost.
The sheer scale of the project made me realize how much work was left.
The size caused a realization.
He let drop a hint about the upcoming merger.
He accidentally or intentionally revealed a hint.
The government's policy made for a very difficult economic climate.
The policy resulted in a specific situation.
Let it be known that we will not tolerate such behavior.
Everyone should know this.
The intricate plot makes for a compelling, if somewhat confusing, read.
The plot results in a specific reading experience.
She would not let the matter rest until she had an answer.
She refused to stop talking about it.
The evidence was so overwhelming it made the jury's decision inevitable.
The evidence forced the outcome.
Let us not be made to look like fools in front of the board.
We shouldn't be put in a position where we look foolish.
혼동하기 쉬운
Both mean obligation, but 'force' is stronger and uses 'to'.
Both mean permission, but 'allow' is more formal and uses 'to'.
Both are causatives, but 'have' implies a professional arrangement or giving a task.
자주 하는 실수
He makes me to study.
He makes me study.
Let me to go.
Let me go.
She makes me crying.
She makes me cry.
My mom lets me to play.
My mom lets me play.
He made me cleaned.
He made me clean.
Does she lets you go?
Does she let you go?
They didn't made us pay.
They didn't make us pay.
I was made go.
I was made to go.
She let me to borrow her car.
She let me borrow her car.
The movie made me felt sad.
The movie made me feel sad.
He was let go the office.
He was let go from the office.
문장 패턴
My boss makes me ___ every Monday.
I won't let you ___ until you ___.
Does this music make you ___?
The government should let people ___.
Real World Usage
Lemme know when u get here.
My previous role made me realize the importance of teamwork.
Don't let the onions touch the burger, please.
They made me take off my shoes at security.
This video made me laugh so hard!
Does this medicine make you feel drowsy?
'to'를 쓰지 않는 규칙을 기억해요
make나 let 뒤에 목적어가 오면, 그 다음 동사는 'to' 없이 동사원형으로 써야 해요. Please let me help you.
수동태일 때는 예외예요
make를 쓸 때는 조심해야 해요! 'be made to do'처럼 'to'가 다시 나타나요. He was made to confess.
강제와 자유를 상상해 보세요
make와 let 중 뭘 고를지 고민될 때, 줄다리기를 상상해 보세요. make는 힘껏 당겨서 행동을 강요하는 모습, let은 밧줄을 느슨하게 풀어 자유를 허용하는 모습이에요. "Don't let fear stop you."영어의 직접적인 표현
make나 let을 써서 영향력을 직접적으로 표현해요. 다른 언어보다 간결하게 '원인'이나 '허용'을 나타낼 수 있죠. This movie made me cry.
문맥이 가장 중요해요
The rain made us stay inside.
Smart Tips
Bite your tongue! Imagine the 'to' is a fly you need to swat away. Just say the verb.
Swap 'let' for 'allow' and 'make' for 'require' to sound more professional.
Remember 'let's' is only for 'we'. If you want someone else to do something, use 'let [person]'.
Use 'make' + [adjective] for a simple state, and 'make' + [verb] for an action.
발음
Reduction of 'Let me'
In casual speech, 'let me' often sounds like 'lemme'.
Flapped 't' in 'Let it'
When 'let' is followed by 'it', the 't' sounds like a quick 'd' in American English.
Linking 'Make him'
The 'h' in 'him' is often dropped, making it sound like 'make-im'.
Emphasis on the Causative
She MADE me do it!
Stressing 'made' emphasizes the lack of choice or the force involved.
암기하기
기억법
Make is a Must, Let is a Leave-it-be.
시각적 연상
Imagine a giant hand pushing someone (Make) versus a gate opening for someone (Let). Both people are walking on a path labeled 'Base Verb' with no 'To' signs allowed.
Rhyme
When you make them, they have to go. When you let them, you don't say no.
Story
A strict boss makes his employees work until midnight. However, on Fridays, he lets them leave at noon. One day, he made them clean the whole office, but then he let them have a pizza party.
Word Web
챌린지
Write three things your parents made you do as a child, and three things they let you do that your friends weren't allowed to do.
문화 노트
In many English-speaking cultures, parents often use 'make' and 'let' to negotiate boundaries. 'I'll let you go if you make your bed' is a common conditional use.
Using 'make' can sound quite aggressive in a professional setting. Managers often prefer 'ask' or 'need' to sound more polite, even if it is a requirement.
In legal documents, 'let' and 'make' are replaced by 'permit' and 'compel' to ensure precision and formality.
Both 'make' (macian) and 'let' (lætan) come from Old English and have Germanic roots.
대화 시작하기
What is one rule your parents made you follow that you hated?
If you were the boss of your company, what would you let employees do?
Does social media make you feel more or less connected to people?
What kind of movies make you laugh the most?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
My parents always let me ___ my own decisions.
Find and fix the mistake:
The unexpected news made her to feel very excited.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Mi jefe me hizo trabajar horas extras.'
Answer starts with: ["M...
Score: /4
연습 문제
8 exercisesWhich sentence is grammatically correct?
My parents never let me ___ (watch) horror movies.
Find and fix the mistake:
The boss made us to finish the report before we left.
They allowed him to enter the club.
In the passive voice, 'make' is followed by 'to' + verb.
A: Why are you crying? B: This onion is ___ my eyes water.
Select the verbs that do NOT use 'to'.
let / me / don't / forget / keys / the
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesMy phone's almost dead; can you let me ___ your charger?
The strict deadline made us to rush the final presentation.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Ella no me dejó ir a la fiesta.'
Arrange these words into a meaningful sentence:
Match 'make' or 'let' with its primary meaning.
The unexpected storm made everyone ___ indoors.
His sadness let him to cry for hours.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: '¿Me dejas ayudarte?'
Arrange these words to form a sentence:
Choose the correct verb for each phrase.
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
You can use an adjective! `Make` is often followed by an adjective to describe a change in state: 'You make me happy' or 'The news made him angry.'
`Let's` is a contraction of 'let us' used for suggestions ('Let's go!'). `Let` is the verb for permission ('Let me go').
You are likely hearing the passive voice. 'He was made to clean' is correct in the passive, even though 'They made him clean' is correct in the active.
Yes, `let` is much more common in daily conversation. `Allow` and `permit` are better for formal writing or official rules.
Absolutely. 'Let the water boil' or 'Don't let the fire go out' are perfectly natural.
Not always. It can mean 'cause to happen' or 'result in.' For example, 'The sun makes the plants grow' isn't about force, but natural causation.
No, this is a very common mistake. You must say 'He let me stay.' Never use 'to' with 'let'.
`Help` is flexible. You can say 'Help me do it' OR 'Help me to do it.' Both are correct!
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Hacer / Dejar
Spanish doesn't distinguish between base verbs and 'to' infinitives in the same way.
Faire / Laisser
In French, the object pronoun often comes before the causative verb (e.g., 'Il me fait rire').
Machen / Lassen
German 'lassen' covers more causative meanings than English 'let'.
Saseru (〜させる)
English uses separate verbs; Japanese uses verb conjugation.
Form II / Form IV Verbs
Causation is built into the verb root in Arabic.
让 (ràng) / 使 (shǐ)
One Chinese word covers both permission and obligation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
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사역동사 make, have, let, help 완벽정리! 사역동사 뜻, 예문, 수동태까지!
라이언쌤 (Ryan English)
헷갈리는 사역동사 make, have, let! 쉽게 정리해 드릴게요!
영어의 여신
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