(a) This puppy will make him a good companion.
How often do you native speakers use 'make' in this way? Is it a common usage? What kind of difference do you native speakers detect between (a) and 'This puppy will be his good companion'? No difference whatsoever between the two?
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Yes, very natural use. Or, 'The puppy will make a good companion for him.' Or, 'The puppy and he will make good companions.'
If you don't already know, check out this long list of optional uses for 'make': http://www.thefreedictionary.com/make
I'm interested in the native 'feel', or psychology if you will, behind the expression.
The native 'feel' is "This puppy will make him a good companion." BTW, I'm not a native and feels confident about it on this one.
You can also use "make" this way in the present tense -(c) "They make a lovely couple." I would say that the difference between (c) and (d)"They are a lovely couple" is that (c) implies some development or synergy - they complement (not compliment) each other so that the whole is somehow greater (or lovelier) than the sum of its parts.
Is this the kind of thing you were looking for?
Hi khoff, I think the difference as you put it is not small and very obvious to be subtle. If the dog in the second one will be automatically be a good companion the remark sounds to suggest being a good companion is one of the dog's native traits and you don't expect contrary from it. But in 'a' good companionship is a prospect or expectation. WHAT do you think are they still interchangeable. thanks in advance.
Davkett, thanks for the kind words!