make friends — form friendships
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to start having a friendly relationship with someone; to become friends with new people
Say it like a native
Textbook She readily establishes friendships with new people.
Native She makes friends easily.
Natives 'make friends'; 'establish friendships' is sociology-speak.
Pattern: make friends (with someone)
In use
- 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
Common mistake
✗ I want to make new friendships.
✓ I want to make new friends.
You make FRIENDS, not 'make friendships'.
Common collocations
make friends— make, easily, make friends with, new 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).