Phrasal Verb: Make up (Invent/Reconcile)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
'Make up' is a versatile verb used to describe inventing stories, becoming friends again, or forming a whole.
- Use it to mean 'invent' (e.g., 'He made up an excuse').
- Use it to mean 'reconcile' after a fight (e.g., 'They finally made up').
- When using a pronoun (it/them), put it in the middle: 'Make it up'.
Overview
Some words work together. "Make up" has two meanings. It means to tell a story. It means to be friends again.
These words help you speak well. The word "up" changes "make". It is not just about making things.
How This Grammar Works
up into existence, fully formed.Formation Pattern
He made them up on the spot.
with for Reconciliation:
make up + with + person | They finally made up with each other. | She wants to make up with her brother. |
You need to make up your mind soon. (Meaning: You need to decide soon.)
When To Use It
- When providing a reason that is not entirely true: This is a frequent use to avoid responsibility or an uncomfortable situation. You construct a plausible, but false, justification. For example:
I had to make up an excuse for being late to the meeting.You fabricated a reason. This is often seen in workplace or academic settings where accountability is expected. - When creating fictional narratives or imaginative scenarios: This highlights the imaginative aspect of creation, often innocently. For instance:
Authors make up entire worlds and characters for their novels.Children frequentlymake upgames during playtime, demonstrating pure imagination:Let's make up a new game to play.This sense applies to any form of imaginative creation, from complex plots to simple children's stories. - When devising concepts or terms: Sometimes new expressions or ideas emerge spontaneously.
Sometimes, a new slang term just gets made up and spreads quickly online.This describes the organic creation of linguistic or conceptual elements within a community. - To reach a decision (idiomatic phrase
make up your mind): This signifies the act of deliberating and then forming a definitive thought or choice. It implies completing the mental process of decision-making.You need to make up your mind soon about which university to attend.This phrase is extremely common in situations requiring choice.
- After an argument between individuals or groups: This describes the process of mending a personal relationship after a conflict, often involving apologies and forgiveness. It's a common phrase in personal relationships, including friendships and romantic partnerships.
My sister and I had a huge fight, but we made up quickly.This shows a return to a harmonious state. - To restore harmony or settle differences more broadly: This emphasizes the act of returning to a state of peace and understanding. In a broader sense, it can be about resolving disagreements or ending disputes.
It’s important to make up after a misunderstanding to maintain good relationships.This can also apply to formal entities like companies:The two rival companies made up their differences and formed a partnership.This implies overcoming previous competitive tension.
When Not To Use It
invent/fabricate meaning:- Do not use
make upwhen referring to the creation of tangible, physical objects through construction, assembly, or manufacturing.Makealone, or more specific verbs likebuild,construct, orassemble, are appropriate here.Make upimplies mental construction, not physical. For example: - Incorrect:
The carpenter will make up a new table.(Use:The carpenter will make a new table.) - Incorrect:
The factory makes up cars.(Use:The factory manufactures cars.) - Do not use
make upwhen referring to the discovery of existing information or objects.Make upimplies creation, not revelation. Use verbs likefind out,discover,learn, orresearchinstead. - Incorrect:
I made up that fact in the encyclopedia.(Use:I found out that fact in the encyclopedia.)
reconcile/resolve meaning:- Do not use
make upfor formal treaties, agreements, or legal settlements between nations or large organizations, especially in a diplomatic context. Whilecompanies made up their differencesis acceptable, for high-stakes, formal negotiations, verbs likenegotiate,settle,mediate, orreach an accordare far more appropriate. - Incorrect:
The two countries made up a peace treaty.(Use:The two countries negotiated a peace treaty.) - Do not use
make upto meancompensate fororreplace something missing. Whilemake up for lost timeis another meaning ofmake up(which is B1 but not within the scope of invent/reconcile), it is distinct from reconciliation. If you mean to provide something that was lacking, use verbs such ascompensate for,replace, orsupply. - Incorrect:
I need to make up the missing pages in the report.(Use:I need to replace the missing pages in the report.)
Common Mistakes
- 1Incorrect Pronoun Placement (Invent/Fabricate): The most prevalent mistake is failing to separate
makeandupwhen the object is a pronoun. Pronouns are grammatically
Conjugating 'Make Up'
| Tense | Subject | Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I / You / We / They
|
make up
|
They make up stories.
|
|
Present Simple
|
He / She / It
|
makes up
|
She makes up excuses.
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
made up
|
We made up yesterday.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
I
|
am making up
|
I am making up the bed.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
He / She
|
has made up
|
He has made it up.
|
|
Future
|
All subjects
|
will make up
|
They will make up soon.
|
Common Contractions with 'Make Up'
| Full Form | Contraction | Context |
|---|---|---|
|
I have made up
|
I've made up
|
Informal speech
|
|
They will make up
|
They'll make up
|
Casual conversation
|
|
It is made up
|
It's made up
|
Describing a lie
|
Meanings
A multi-use phrasal verb primarily used for creating fictional information or restoring a relationship after a disagreement.
Invent/Fabricate
To create a story, lie, or explanation that is not true.
“Stop making up excuses for being late!”
“The author made up a whole new world for her book.”
Reconcile
To become friends again after a quarrel or fight.
“We had a huge argument, but we made up the next day.”
“Kiss and make up!”
Constitute/Form
To be the parts that form a whole.
“Women make up 50% of the workforce.”
“Ten chapters make up this textbook.”
Compensate
To do something extra because you missed something earlier (often used with 'for').
“I'll work late to make up the time I lost.”
“He bought her flowers to make up for his mistake.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (Invent)
|
Subject + make + object + up
|
He made the story up.
|
|
Affirmative (Reconcile)
|
Subject + make up
|
They made up.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + do not + make up
|
I didn't make it up!
|
|
Question
|
Do + subject + make up...?
|
Did you make up an excuse?
|
|
Passive
|
Subject + be + made up of
|
The team is made up of kids.
|
|
With Pronoun
|
Subject + make + it/them + up
|
Please don't make it up.
|
|
Compensating
|
Subject + make up + for + noun
|
I'll make up for the mess.
|
Formality Spectrum
The two parties have reached a reconciliation. (Relationships)
They have made up. (Relationships)
They're cool again. (Relationships)
They're Gucci now. (Relationships)
The Many Faces of 'Make Up'
Fiction
- Invent To create a lie
Peace
- Reconcile To be friends again
Parts
- Constitute To form a whole
Balance
- Compensate To fix a mistake
Make Up vs. Invent
Where does the object go?
Is the object a pronoun (it/them)?
Is it a noun?
Common Objects for 'Make Up'
Stories
- • A lie
- • An excuse
- • A tale
People
- • Friends
- • Couples
- • Siblings
Totals
- • 50%
- • The majority
- • The team
Examples by Level
I make up stories.
They make up after the fight.
Do not make up a lie.
We are friends, we make up.
He made up a funny song.
Did you and Sarah make up?
I need to make up an excuse.
She made it up to be nice.
Women make up half of the class.
I'll make up the missed work tomorrow.
They finally made up after not speaking for years.
He made up the whole story about the ghost.
The committee is made up of local residents.
How can I make it up to you?
The lost hours must be made up by Friday.
He has a tendency to make things up when he's nervous.
The cultural make-up of the city has changed significantly.
He tried to make up for his lack of experience with enthusiasm.
The pharmacist is making up your prescription now.
It’s hard to make up the ground we lost in the first quarter.
The very fabric of their society is made up of these ancient traditions.
She struggled to make up the deficit in her emotional well-being.
The actors were required to make up their own lines in the improv show.
He could not make up the discrepancy between the two reports.
Easily Confused
Learners often mix these up because they both involve 'make' and a preposition.
Both mean to create something new.
Both use 'up' and a common verb.
Common Mistakes
I make up it.
I make it up.
We make up a story.
We made up a story.
They make up.
They made up.
I make up my face.
I put on makeup.
He made up for a story.
He made up a story.
Did you make up with?
Did you make up with him?
I made up the bed.
I made the bed.
The team makes up of ten people.
The team is made up of ten people.
I'll make up my mistake.
I'll make up for my mistake.
He made up his mind up.
He made up his mind.
He made up the lost ground.
He made up the ground he had lost.
The makeup of the atom...
The make-up of the atom...
Sentence Patterns
I had to make up a ___ because ___.
___ and ___ finally made up after ___.
___ make up approximately ___ percent of ___.
How can I make up for ___?
Real World Usage
Are we good? Did we make up?
I can make up the hours if I leave early.
Small businesses make up the backbone of the economy.
She totally made that up for clout.
The pilot tried to make up the time in the air.
We are making up your prescription now.
The Pronoun Rule
Makeup vs. Make up
Use 'For' to Apologize
Kiss and Make Up
Smart Tips
Imagine the pronoun is a sandwich filling. It must go inside the verb 'make' and the particle 'up'.
Use the 'Make it up to you' pattern. It's the most natural way to offer a favor after a mistake.
Use 'is made up of' instead of just 'has'. It sounds more professional and descriptive.
If it's a lie, use 'make up'. If it's a machine, use 'invent'.
Pronunciation
Stress on the particle
In phrasal verbs, the stress usually falls on the preposition/particle, not the verb.
Linking
When 'make' is followed by 'up', the 'k' sound links to the 'u'.
Rising on 'up'
Did you make UP? ↗
Asking a question
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Make a story, Make a friend, Make a whole until the end.
Visual Association
Imagine a person building a Lego house. They are 'making up' the house from small parts. Then imagine them drawing a fake map (making up a story) and finally shaking hands with a friend (making up after a fight).
Rhyme
If you tell a lie, you make it up. If you stop a cry, you make it up.
Story
Tim was late for work. He had to 'make up' an excuse about a flat tire. His boss was angry, but they 'made up' after Tim promised to 'make up' the lost hours by staying late. Now, those extra hours 'make up' a large part of his paycheck.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences using 'make up': one about a lie, one about a friend, and one about a percentage.
Cultural Notes
Very common in high school dramas and sitcoms to discuss 'making up' after a breakup.
Often used in the context of 'making up a bed' for a guest, which is slightly more common in the UK than the US.
Used globally in English-speaking offices to discuss 'making up the hours' when taking time off for appointments.
The phrase dates back to the late 14th century, combining 'make' (to create) with 'up' (to completion).
Conversation Starters
Have you ever had to make up an excuse for being late?
What qualities make up a good friend?
How do you usually make up with someone after a fight?
If you could make up a new holiday, what would it be?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Which one is correct?
They had a fight, but they finally made ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
The team makes up of five players.
He invented a lie about the car.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: I'm so sorry I missed your birthday. B: It's okay, how are you going to ___?
'We finally made up.'
I'll work on Saturday to make ___ the lost time.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesWhich one is correct?
They had a fight, but they finally made ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
The team makes up of five players.
He invented a lie about the car.
1. Invent 2. Reconcile 3. Constitute
A: I'm so sorry I missed your birthday. B: It's okay, how are you going to ___?
'We finally made up.'
I'll work on Saturday to make ___ the lost time.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe author loves to ___ new characters for her fantasy novels.
We need to make up for the lost profit.
Choose the correct sentence:
Rephrase using 'make up': 'They invented a clever plan.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentences with their primary meaning of 'make up':
My little brother loves to ___ excuses for not doing his chores.
The band wants to make up it's own songs.
Which sentence correctly uses 'make up' for reconciliation?
Rephrase using 'make up': 'I will compensate for the time I missed.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the objects with their correct 'make up' structure:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Usually no. Use `invent` for things like the lightbulb or the internet. Use `make up` for stories, lies, and excuses.
It is neutral to informal. In very formal writing, use `fabricate`, `reconcile`, or `constitute`.
`Make up` means to invent or reconcile. `Make up for` means to compensate for a mistake or a loss.
Yes! This is a very common idiom meaning 'I decided'.
When written as one word (makeup), it is a noun meaning cosmetics or the composition of something. As two words (make up), it is a verb.
Use `be made up of`. For example: 'The class is made up of students from ten countries.'
It implies reconciliation, which might include kissing, but the verb for kissing specifically is `make out`.
`Made up of` is much more common and generally considered correct for parts of a whole.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Inventar / Reconciliarse
English uses one verb for both; Spanish uses 'inventar' and 'reconciliarse'.
Inventer / Se réconcilier
French requires reflexive verbs for the 'reconcile' meaning.
Erfinden / Sich versöhnen
German separable verbs are common, but the meanings are split across different roots.
Netsuzou suru / Nakanaori suru
Japanese has no concept of 'verb + preposition' phrasal verbs.
Ikhtara'a / Tasalaha
Arabic uses root-based morphology instead of phrasal particles.
Biānzào / Héhǎo
Chinese uses compound verbs that describe the result of the action.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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