What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
construct
Example
The workers are constructing a new office building downtown. [constructing: present participle]
Example
The architect designed and constructed the house from the ground up. [constructed: past tense]
make
Example
I'm going to make a cake for the party tonight. [make: verb]
Example
She made a sculpture out of clay. [made: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Make is a more common word than construct and is used in a variety of contexts, from cooking and crafting to manufacturing and business. Construct is less common and tends to be used in more technical or specialized fields, such as engineering or architecture.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between construct and make?
Construct is generally considered more formal than make, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, both words can be adjusted to fit the level of formality required for a given situation.
