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Old 11-Oct-2006, 10:23
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Default make a friend

Dear teachers,

I have just read the following from a grammar book:

We can say 'to make friends with them' but we can't say 'to make a friend with him'. Is that right? And is it correct to say ' to make a friend' or ' to make friends' without using 'with ...'?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang
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Old 11-Oct-2006, 11:14
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Default Re: make a friend

Hi, Jiang,
Make friends is a set expression; it doesn't matter if you speak of one or more persons. I think it's all right to say
I made a lot of friends during my stay at the camp.
Cheers
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Old 11-Oct-2006, 13:40
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Default Re: make a friend


Hi Humble,

Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

Best wishes,

Jiang
Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble View Post
Hi, Jiang,
Make friends is a set expression; it doesn't matter if you speak of one or more persons. I think it's all right to say
I made a lot of friends during my stay at the camp.
Cheers
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Old 11-Oct-2006, 16:07
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Default Re: make a friend

Humble's right, but there is also the expression "make a friend of", meaning "to befriend": "It's a good idea, when going to a new school, to find someone who lives close to you and make a friend of them". In this case, the expression means virtually the same as "make friends with" - but suggests more of an active effort to become a friend.

b
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Old 11-Oct-2006, 23:41
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Default Re: make a friend


Dear BobK,

Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

Jiang
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Originally Posted by BobK View Post
Humble's right, but there is also the expression "make a friend of", meaning "to befriend": "It's a good idea, when going to a new school, to find someone who lives close to you and make a friend of them". In this case, the expression means virtually the same as "make friends with" - but suggests more of an active effort to become a friend.

b
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Old 12-Oct-2006, 07:11
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Default Re: make a friend

Dear BobK,

Could you please explain if I say 'to make a friend of him' instead of 'them'?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobK View Post
Humble's right, but there is also the expression "make a friend of", meaning "to befriend": "It's a good idea, when going to a new school, to find someone who lives close to you and make a friend of them". In this case, the expression means virtually the same as "make friends with" - but suggests more of an active effort to become a friend.

b
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