Grammar fix
make a mistake
do something wrong
to do something incorrectly or not as intended, often by accident.
collocationB1core
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- I made a mistake on my homework, so I had to correct it.daily life
- In my opinion, it's normal to make mistakes when learning a new language, and it's actually a good way to improve.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: make a mistake (in something / doing something)
WrongSorry, I did a mistake.
RightSorry, I made a mistake.
You MAKE a mistake, never 'do' one.
Patternmake a mistake (in something / doing something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
Natives 'make a mistake'; 'commit an error' is formal/legalistic and rare in speech.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
make a mistakemakemadea big mistakeby mistake
Don't confuse it
Related to 'get something wrong' or 'be wrong,' but 'make a mistake' focuses on the action.