|  |
 | 
11-Oct-2006, 10:23
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Country: China
Posts: 2,211
Current Location: China First Language: Chinese Member Type: Student or Learner | |  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 |
11-Oct-2006, 11:14
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: May 2006 Country: Belarus
Posts: 1,335
First Language: Russian | | 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 |
11-Oct-2006, 13:40
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Country: China
Posts: 2,211
Current Location: China First Language: Chinese Member Type: Student or Learner | | Re: make a friend
Hi Humble,
Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.
Best wishes,
Jiang Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble  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 | |
11-Oct-2006, 16:07
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Country: England (South East)
Posts: 7,658
Current Location: England (South East) First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher | | 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 |
11-Oct-2006, 23:41
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Country: China
Posts: 2,211
Current Location: China First Language: Chinese Member Type: Student or Learner | | Re: make a friend
Dear BobK,
Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.
Jiang Quote:
Originally Posted by BobK 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 | |
12-Oct-2006, 07:11
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Country: China
Posts: 2,211
Current Location: China First Language: Chinese Member Type: Student or Learner | | 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 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 | | |
| Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
All times are GMT. The time now is 21:20.
|
