1. 用作使役动词,表示“使”,后接不定式的复合结构作宾语时,不定式不能带 to;但是,若make为被动语态,则不定式必须带to。如:
Though he had often made his little sister cry, today he was made to cry by his little sister. 虽然他曾经常把他小妹妹弄哭,但今天他被他小妹妹弄哭了。
注意,若make不表示“使”,而表示其他意思则情况不同,比如下面两句,make后的不定式不是宾语补足语,而是目的状语:
We make candles to give light. 我们做蜡烛照明。
He made a box to put his money in. 他做了个盒子来装钱。
2. 其后除可接不带to的不定式作宾语补足语外,还可以接以下成分:
(1) 接过去分词作宾语补足语。如:
He tried to make his ideas known. 他设法让别人知道他的想法。
She had to shout to make herself heard. 她必须大声喊才能让人听见她说话。
注意,其后通常不接现在分词作宾语补足语。如:
他让司机在外面等他。
误:He made the driver waiting for him outside.
正:He had the driver waiting for him outside.
(2) 接形容词作宾语补足语。如:
Have I made myself clear? 我的意思说清楚了吗?
We’ll do our best to make you happy. 我们会尽一切努力使你幸福。
(3) 接介词短语作宾语补足语。如:
Sit down and make yourself at home. 请坐,不要拘束。
3. 有时可用作连系动词,表示“成为”“变成”等。如:
She would have made an excellent teacher. 她本可以成为杰出的教师。
That will make a good ending to the book. 那就成了这本书很好的结尾。
4. 以下各表达中的 make 在译成中文较灵活,需注意:make tea(泡茶),make money(赚钱),make the train(赶上火车),make the party(参加聚会),make 20 miles in an hour(一小时走20英里),等。
5. 用于“be made+介词”:
(1) 比较 be made of 与 be made from:两者均表示“由……制成”,但前者通常表示在制成品中还看得出原材料,而后者则通常表示在制成品中看不出原材料。如:
The chair is made of wood. 这椅子是用木头做的。
Some paper is made from wood. 有些纸是用木头做的。
但是,在现代英语中有时不完全按此区分。
(2) 比较 be make out of 与 be made into:前者表示“由……制成”,后者表示“制成……”。两者有时可互换,并且根据情况也可与上面两个句型互换(注意词序的变化)。如:
Rice can be made into wine. 米可以酿成酒。
Wine can be made out of [from] rice. 酒可以由米酿成。