Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[BMO]

Make a story and make up a story, are they the same? If you want it to mean fabricating a story, which is correct then?

How about if you want to create a story for children to listen, which is correct?

Thanks.

[CP]

"Make up a story" means to create / invent / fabricate a story, and that's the expression you are most likely to hear from a native speaker, rather than "make a story."

Same expression is used whether you tell the story to children at bedtime or write it for publication around the world -- that's what happened with Harry Potter -- although you would more likely say, "Write / author / pen a story" if it is for publication.

Hope this helps.

Yours truly, CP

[BMO]

Thank you so much, it is clear now.

Have a great day.

bmo