Grammar fix
make friends
form friendships
to start having a friendly relationship with someone; to become friends with new people
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- It's not always easy to make friends when you move to a new city.daily life
- I think it's important to join clubs or activities if you want to make friends quickly in a new place.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: make friends (with someone)
WrongI want to make new friendships.
RightI want to make new friends.
You make FRIENDS, not 'make friendships'.
Patternmake friends (with someone)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
Natives 'make friends'; 'establish friendships' is sociology-speak.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
make friendsmakeeasilymake friends withnew friends
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'meet people' (which means to be introduced), or 'be friends' (which means you already have a friendship).