Make vs. Cause — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 24, 2023
"Make" refers to creating, producing, or forming something, while "cause" means to bring about a result or effect.
Difference Between Make and Cause
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Key Differences
"Make" and "cause" both play pivotal roles in English, serving to denote creation and effectuation, respectively. "Make" generally refers to the act of creating, constructing, or producing something. When someone makes a sandwich, they're assembling ingredients to produce a meal. On the other hand, "cause" signifies the reason behind an event or effect. For instance, heavy rain can cause a flood, where the rain is the reason for the flooding.
Delving deeper, "make" has a tangible connotation, often linked with physical creation. Craftsmen make artifacts, chefs make dishes, and companies make products. This verb emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence. Conversely, "cause" doesn't necessitate tangibility. An idea can cause controversy, or a rumor can cause panic. Here, "cause" connects an action or entity to its consequent effect or outcome.
Moreover, "make" encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, from creating art to forming decisions. Someone might make a choice or make a friend, showing that "make" isn't limited to physical production. In contrast, "cause" is more specific, primarily used to indicate reasons or origins of specific outcomes. Smoking, for instance, can cause health issues.
Lastly, both words can function beyond their primary meanings, making their usage versatile. "Make" might denote reaching a destination (make it to the party), while "cause" can represent a goal or purpose (fight for a cause). Despite these extended usages, their core distinctions remain: "make" pertains to creation, and "cause" to effectuation.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To create or produce
To bring about a result or effect
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Tangibility
Often associated with tangible creations
Can denote intangible effects or reasons
Usage
Can refer to a variety of activities, from crafting to decision-making
Primarily indicates reasons or origins of outcomes
Extended Meanings
Can denote reaching a place or status (e.g., make it big)
Can represent a goal or purpose (e.g., a charitable cause)
Contexts
Used in both literal (make a cake) and figurative contexts (make a difference)
Commonly used to show cause-and-effect relationships
Compare with Definitions
Make
To create something tangible or intangible.
She wants to make a difference in the world.
Cause
The reason something happens.
The storm was the cause of the power outage.
Make
To cause to exist or happen; bring about; create
Made problems for us.
Making a commotion.
Cause
To bring about an effect or result.
His speech caused a lot of controversies.
Make
To bring into existence by shaping, modifying, or putting together material; construct
Make a dress.
Made a stone wall.
Cause
An aim or principle for which one advocates.
She donated to the environmental cause.
Make
To form by assembling individuals or constituents
We made a temporary information center using savvy volunteers.
Cause
Because.
Make
To change from one form or function to another
Make clay into bricks.
Cause
The producer of an effect, result, or consequence.
Make
To cause to be or become
Made her position clear.
A decision that made him happy.
Cause
The one, such as a person, event, or condition, that is responsible for an action or result.
Make
To cause to assume a specified function or role
Made her treasurer.
Made Austin his home.
Cause
A basis for an action or response; a reason
The doctor's report gave no cause for alarm.
Make
To cause to act in a specified manner
Heat makes gases expand.
Cause
A goal or principle served with dedication and zeal
“the cause of freedom versus tyranny” (Hannah Arendt).
Make
To compel
Made him quit.
Cause
The interests of a person or group engaged in a struggle
“The cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind” (Thomas Paine).
Make
To form in the mind
Make an estimate.
Cause
A lawsuit or criminal prosecution.
Make
To compose
Make verses.
Cause
The ground or basis for a lawsuit.
Make
To prepare; fix
Make dinner.
Cause
A subject under debate or discussion.
Make
To get ready or set in order for use
Made the bed.
Cause
To be the cause of or reason for; result in.
Make
To gather and light the materials for (a fire).
Cause
To bring about or compel by authority or force
The moderator invoked a rule causing the debate to be ended.
Make
To engage in
Make war.
Cause
The source of, or reason for, an event or action; that which produces or effects a result.
They identified a burst pipe as the cause of the flooding.
Make
To carry out; perform
Make a phone call.
Make an incision.
Cause
Sufficient reason for a state, as of emotion.
There is no cause for alarm.
The end of the war was a cause for celebration.
Make
To achieve, produce, or attain
Made peace between the two sides.
Not making sense.
Didn't make the quota.
Cause
(countable) A goal, aim or principle, especially one which transcends purely selfish ends.
Make
To institute or establish; enact
Make laws.
Cause
(obsolete) Sake; interest; advantage.
Make
To draw up and execute in a suitable form
Make a will.
Cause
Any subject of discussion or debate; a matter; an affair.
Make
To arrange or agree to
Make a date.
Cause
A suit or action in court; any legal process by which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he regards as his right; case; ground of action.
Make
To arrive at; reach
Made Seattle in two hours.
Cause
(transitive) To set off an event or action.
The lightning caused thunder.
Make
To reach in time
Just made the plane.
Cause
(ditransitive) To actively produce as a result, by means of force or authority.
His dogged determination caused the fundraising to be successful.
Make
To attain the rank or position of
Made lieutenant.
Cause
(obsolete) To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.
Make
To acquire a place in or on
Made the baseball team.
Made the newspapers.
Cause
Alternative form of 'cause; because
Make
To gain or earn, as by working
Make money.
Cause
That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist.
Cause is substance exerting its power into act, to make one thing begin to be.
Make
To behave so as to acquire
Make friends.
Cause
That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
Make
To score or achieve, as in a sport
Made a field goal.
Cause
Sake; interest; advantage.
I did it not for his cause.
Make
To assure the success of
Favorable reviews can make a play.
Cause
A suit or action in court; any legal process by which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he regards as his right; case; ground of action.
Make
To favor the development of
Practice makes a winning team.
Cause
Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general.
What counsel give you in this weighty cause!
Make
To be suited for
Oak makes strong furniture.
Cause
The side of a question, which is espoused, advocated, and upheld by a person or party; a principle which is advocated; that which a person or party seeks to attain.
God befriend us, as our cause is just.
The part they take against me is from zeal to the cause.
Make
To develop into
Will make a fine doctor.
Cause
To effect as an agent; to produce; to be the occasion of; to bring about; to bring into existence; to make; - usually followed by an infinitive, sometimes by that with a finite verb.
I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days.
Cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans.
Make
To draw a conclusion as to the significance or nature of
Don't know what to make of the decision.
Cause
To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.
Make
To calculate as being; estimate
I make the height 20 feet.
Cause
Abbreviation of Because.
Make
To consider as being
Wasn't the problem some people made it.
Cause
Events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something;
They are trying to determine the cause of the crash
Make
To constitute
They make a great team.
Cause
A justification for something existing or happening;
He had no cause to complain
They had good reason to rejoice
Make
To add up to
Two and two make four.
Cause
A series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end;
He supported populist campaigns
They worked in the cause of world peace
The team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
The movement to end slavery
Contributed to the war effort
Make
To amount to
Makes no difference.
Cause
Any entity that causes events to happen
Make
To cover (a distance)
Made 200 miles before sunset.
Cause
A comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy;
The family brought suit against the landlord
Make
To constitute the essence or nature of
Clothes make the man.
Cause
Give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally;
Cause a commotion
Make a stir
Cause an accident
Make
To cause to be especially enjoyable or rewarding
Your being along really made the outing.
Cause
Cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner;
The ads induced me to buy a VCR
My children finally got me to buy a computer
My wife made me buy a new sofa
Make
To appear to begin (an action)
She made to leave.
Cause
A subject under discussion or legal examination.
The cause went to the highest court.
Make
To act or behave in a specified manner
Make merry.
Make free.
Cause
To instigate or provoke.
Don't cause any trouble at the party.
Make
To begin or appear to begin an action
Made as if to shake my hand.
Make
To cause something to be as specified
Make ready.
Make sure.
Make
To proceed in a certain direction
Made for home.
Made after the thief.
Make
(Slang) To pretend to be; imitate. Used with like
Made like a ballerina.
Make
To undergo fabrication or manufacture
This wool makes up into a warm shawl.
Make
To rise or accumulate
The tide is making.
Make
The style or manner in which a thing is made
Disliked the make of my coat.
Make
A specific line of manufactured goods, identified by the manufacturer's name or the registered trademark
A famous make of shirt.
Make
The origin of a product's manufacturing
A bicycle of a French make.
Make
The physical or moral nature of a person
Found out what make of man he was.
Make
The physical nature or build of an animal or person
A horse of a beautiful make.
Make
(Slang) Identification of a person or thing, often from information in police records
Did you get a make on the thief?.
Make
(transitive) To create.
Make
To build, construct, produce, or originate.
We made a bird feeder for our yard.
I'll make a man out of him yet.
He makes deodorants.
Make
To write or compose.
I made a poem for her wedding.
He made a will.
Make
To bring about; to effect or produce by means of some action.
Make war
They were just a bunch of ne'er-do-wells who went around making trouble for honest men.
Make
(religious) To create (the universe), especially (in Christianity) from nothing.
God made earth and heaven.
Make
(transitive) To prepare (food); to cook (food).
I'm making cereal for breakfast. Who wants some?
Make
To behave, to act.
To make like a deer caught in the headlights.
They made nice together, as if their fight never happened.
He made as if to punch him, but they both laughed and shook hands.
Make
(intransitive) To tend; to contribute; to have effect; with for or against.
Make
To constitute.
They make a cute couple.
This makes the third infraction.
One swallow does not a summer make.
Make
(transitive) To add up to, have a sum of.
Two and four make six.
Make
To interpret.
I don’t know what to make of it.
They couldn't make anything of the inscription.
What time do you make it?
Make
To bring into success.
This company is what made you.
She married into wealth and so has it made.
Make
To cause to be.
The citizens made their objections clear.
This might make you a bit woozy.
Did I make myself heard?
Scotch will make you a man.
Make
To cause to appear to be; to represent as.
Homer makes Aphrodite the daughter of Zeus, unlike Hesiod who depicted her as born from the sea foam.
Make
To cause (to do something); to compel (to do something).
You're making her cry.
I was made to feel like a criminal.
Make
To force to do.
The teacher made the student study.
Don’t let them make you suffer.
Make
To indicate or suggest to be.
His past mistakes don’t make him a bad person.
Make
To cover neatly with bedclothes.
Make
To recognise, identify, spot.
Make
To arrive at a destination, usually at or by a certain time.
We should make Cincinnati by 7 tonight.
Make
To proceed (in a direction).
They made westward over the snowy mountains.
Make for the hills! It's a wildfire!
They made away from the fire toward the river.
Make
(transitive) To cover (a given distance) by travelling.
Make
(transitive) To move at (a speed).
The ship could make 20 knots an hour in calm seas.
This baby can make 220 miles an hour.
Make
To appoint; to name.
Make
To induct into the Mafia or a similar organization (as a made man).
Make
To defecate or urinate.
Make
(transitive) To earn, to gain (money, points, membership or status).
They hope to make a bigger profit.
He didn't make the choir after his voice changed.
She made ten points in that game.
Make
(transitive) To pay, to cover (an expense); chiefly used after expressions of inability.
Make
To compose verses; to write poetry; to versify.
Make
To enact; to establish.
Make
To develop into; to prove to be.
She'll make a fine president.
Make
To form or formulate in the mind.
Make plans
Made a questionable decision
Make
To perform a feat.
Make a leap
Make a pass
Make a u-turn
Make
(intransitive) To gain sufficient audience to warrant its existence.
In the end, my class didn't make, which left me with a bit of free time.
Make
(obsolete) To act in a certain manner; to have to do; to manage; to interfere; to be active; often in the phrase to meddle or make.
Make
(obsolete) To increase; to augment; to accrue.
Make
(obsolete) To be engaged or concerned in.
Make
To cause to be (in a specified place), used after a subjective what.
Make
To take the virginity of.
Make
(intransitive) Of water, to flow toward land; to rise.
Make
Brand or kind; model.
What make of car do you drive?
Make
Manner or style of construction (style of how a thing is made); form.
Make
Origin (of a manufactured article); manufacture; production.
The camera was of German make.
Make
A person's character or disposition.
Make
(dated) The act or process of making something, especially in industrial manufacturing.
Make
(uncountable) Quantity produced, especially of materials.
Make
(computing) A software utility for automatically building large applications, or an implementation of this utility.
Make
(slang) Identification or recognition (of identity), especially from police records or evidence.
Make
A promotion.
Make
A home-made project
Make
(cards) Turn to declare the trump for a hand (in bridge), or to shuffle the cards.
Make
(basketball) A made basket.
Make
(physics) The closing of an electrical circuit.
Make
Mate; a spouse or companion; a match.
Make
A halfpenny.
Make
An agricultural tool resembling a scythe, used to cut (harvest) certain plants such as peas, reeds, or tares.
Make
A companion; a mate; often, a husband or a wife.
For in this world no woman isWorthy to be my make.
Make
Structure, texture, constitution of parts; construction; shape; form.
It our perfection of so frail a makeAs every plot can undermine and shake?
Make
To cause to exist; to bring into being; to form; to produce; to frame; to fashion; to create.
He . . . fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf.
Make
To produce, as something artificial, unnatural, or false; - often with up; as, to make up a story.
And Art, with her contending, doth aspireTo excel the natural with made delights.
Make
To cause to be or become; to put into a given state verb, or adjective; to constitute; as, to make known; to make public; to make fast.
Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?
See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh.
Make
To bring about; to bring forward; to be the cause or agent of; to effect, do, perform, or execute; - often used with a noun to form a phrase equivalent to the simple verb that corresponds to such noun; as, to make complaint, for to complain; to make record of, for to record; to make abode, for to abide, etc.
Call for Samson, that he may make us sport.
Wealth maketh many friends.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness in excuse of the faults which I have made.
Make
To cause to appear to be; to constitute subjectively; to esteem, suppose, or represent.
He is not that goose and ass that Valla would make him.
Make
To execute with the requisite formalities; as, to make a bill, note, will, deed, etc.
He accuseth Neptune unjustly who makes shipwreck a second time.
Make
To require; to constrain; to compel; to force; to cause; to occasion; - followed by a noun or pronoun and infinitive.
I will make them hear my words.
They should be made to rise at their early hour.
Make
To find, as the result of calculation or computation; to ascertain by enumeration; to find the number or amount of, by reckoning, weighing, measurement, and the like; as, he made the distance of; to travel over; as, the ship makes ten knots an hour; he made the distance in one day.
Who makes or ruins with a smile or frown.
Make
To become; to be, or to be capable of being, changed or fashioned into; to do the part or office of; to furnish the material for; as, he will make a good musician; sweet cider makes sour vinegar; wool makes warm clothing.
And old cloak makes a new jerkin.
Make
To compose, as parts, ingredients, or materials; to constitute; to form; to amount to; as, a pound of ham makes a hearty meal.
The heaven, the air, the earth, and boundless sea,Make but one temple for the Deity.
Make
To be engaged or concerned in.
Gomez, what makest thou here, with a whole brotherhood of city bailiffs?
Make
To reach; to attain; to arrive at or in sight of.
They that sail in the middle can make no land of either side.
If a child were crooked or deformed in body or mind, they made him away.
Make the doors upon a woman's wit, and it will out at the casement.
He was all made up of love and charms!
Make
To act in a certain manner; to have to do; to manage; to interfere; to be active; - often in the phrase to meddle or make.
A scurvy, jack-a-nape priest to meddle or make.
Make
To proceed; to tend; to move; to go; as, he made toward home; the tiger made at the sportsmen.
Make
To tend; to contribute; to have effect; - with for or against; as, it makes for his advantage.
Follow after the things which make for peace.
Considerations infiniteDo make against it.
Make
To increase; to augment; to accrue.
Make
To compose verses; to write poetry; to versify.
To solace him some time, as I do when I make.
Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled.
My lord of London maketh as though he were greatly displeased with me.
Make
A recognizable kind;
There's a new brand of hero in the movies now
What make of car is that?
Make
The act of mixing cards haphazardly
Make
Engage in;
Make love, not war
Make an effort
Do research
Do nothing
Make revolution
Make
Give certain properties to something;
Get someone mad
She made us look silly
He made a fool of himself at the meeting
Don't make this into a big deal
This invention will make you a millionaire
Make yourself clear
Make
Make or cause to be or to become;
Make a mess in one's office
Create a furor
Make
Cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner;
The ads induced me to buy a VCR
My children finally got me to buy a computer
My wife made me buy a new sofa
Make
Give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally;
Cause a commotion
Make a stir
Cause an accident
Make
Create or manufacture a man-made product;
We produce more cars than we can sell
The company has been making toys for two centuries
Make
Make, formulate, or derive in the mind;
I draw a line here
Draw a conclusion
Draw parallels
Make an estimate
What do you make of his remarks?
Make
Compel or make somebody or something to act in a certain way;
People cannot be made to integrate just by passing a law!
Heat makes you sweat
Make
Create by artistic means;
Create a poem
Schoenberg created twelve-tone music
Picasso created Cubism
Auden made verses
Make
Earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;
How much do you make a month in your new job?
She earns a lot in her new job
This merger brought in lots of money
He clears $5,000 each month
Make
Create or design, often in a certain way;
Do my room in blue
I did this piece in wood to express my love for the forest
Make
To compose or represent:
This wall forms the background of the stage setting
The branches made a roof
This makes a fine introduction
Make
Reach a goal, e.g.,
Make the first team
We made it!
She may not make the grade
Make
Be or be capable of being changed or made into;
He makes a great host
He will make a fine father
Make
Make by shaping or bringing together constituents;
Make a dress
Make a cake
Make a wall of stones
Make
Perform or carry out;
Make a decision
Make a move
Make advances
Make a phone call
Make
Make by combining materials and parts;
This little pig made his house out of straw
Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer
Make
Change from one form into another;
Make water into wine
Make lead into gold
Make clay into bricks
Make
Act in a certain way so as to acquire;
Make friends
Make enemies
Make
Charge with a function; charge to be;
She was named Head of the Committee
She was made president of the club
Make
Achieve a point or goal;
Nicklaus had a 70
The Brazilian team got 4 goals
She made 29 points that day
Make
Reach a destination, either real or abstract;
We hit Detroit by noon
The water reached the doorstep
We barely made it to the finish line
I have to hit the MAC machine before the weekend starts
Make
Institute, enact, or establish;
Make laws
Make
Carry out or commit;
Make a mistake
Commit a faux-pas
Make
Add up to;
Four and four make eight
Make
Form by assembling individuals or constituents;
Make a quorum
The branches made a roof
Make
Organize or be responsible for;
Hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
Make
Prepare for eating by applying heat;
Cook me dinner, please
Can you make me an omelette?
Fix breakfast for the guests, please
Make
Put in order or neaten;
Make the bed
Make up a room
Make
Head into a specified direction;
The escaped convict took to the hills
We made for the mountains
Make
Have a bowel movement;
The dog had made in the flower beds
Make
Undergo fabrication or creation;
This wool makes into a nice sweater
Make
Be suitable for;
Wood makes good furniture
Make
Amount to;
This salary increase makes no difference to my standard of living
Make
Constitute the essence of;
Clothes make the man
Make
Appear to begin an activity;
He made to speak but said nothing i the end
She made a if to say hello to us
Make
Proceed along a path;
Work one's way through the crowd
Make one's way into the forest
Make
Reach in time;
We barely made the plane
Make
Gather and light the materials for;
Make a fire
Make
Assure the success of;
A good review by this critic will make your play!
Make
Represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like;
She makes like an actress
Make
Consider as being;
It wasn't the problem some people made it
Make
Calculate as being;
I make the height about 100 feet
Make
Cause to be enjoyable or pleasurable;
Make my day
Make
Favor the development of;
Practice makes the winner
Make
Develop into;
He will make a splendid father!
Make
Behave in a certain way;
Make merry
Make
Eliminate urine;
Again, the cat had made on the expensive rug
Make
To form by assembling components.
He will make a model airplane from the kit.
Make
To cause to exist or come into being.
They hope to make a profit from the sale.
Make
To establish or enact.
Let's make a plan for the weekend.
Common Curiosities
What's the difference between "make dinner" and "cause dinner"?
"Make dinner" means to prepare food. "Cause dinner" is incorrect; "cause" doesn't fit this context.
Can both words be nouns?
Yes. "Make" can mean brand (e.g., of a car) and "cause" can mean a goal or reason.
Is "cause" always linked with negative outcomes?
No. Positive actions can also "cause" good results.
Are "make" and "cause" interchangeable?
Not always. While both can indicate producing an effect, "make" often means creating, and "cause" denotes bringing about a result.
How do "make up" and "cause up" differ?
"Make up" can mean to invent or reconcile. "Cause up" isn't a standard phrase in English.
Can both words be used in passive constructions?
Yes. E.g., "The bed was made" and "He was caused to laugh."
Can "make" denote success?
Yes, as in "make it big" or "make a name for oneself."
Is "cause" always about direct results?
Not necessarily. Indirect or contributing factors can also be "causes."
Is "make" more versatile than "cause"?
In many contexts, yes. "Make" has broader applications, from crafting to achieving.
Can "make" be used in non-tangible contexts?
Yes. One can "make a promise" or "make a decision."
What's the difference between "make trouble" and "cause trouble"?
They're similar, but "make trouble" suggests actively creating problems, while "cause trouble" implies being the reason for problems.
Can businesses "make" or "cause" profits?
Businesses "make" profits. While they can "cause" financial outcomes, "make" is standard for profits.
How do "cause for concern" and "make for concern" differ?
"Cause for concern" means a reason to worry. "Make for concern" isn't a standard phrase.
Are there idioms using "make" and "cause"?
Yes. "Make ends meet" or "cause a stir" are examples.
How do "make peace" and "cause peace" differ?
"Make peace" means to reconcile. "Cause peace" isn't standard, but could mean to bring about peace.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
