Made Off vs. Made Of – Which is Correct?
Both made off and made of are correct, but they have different meanings. Made off means left quickly, often with something taken or stolen. Made of describes what something consists of or its material. Use made off for sudden departure and made of for composition, construction, or figurative qualities generally.
Made Off or Made Of – Which is Correct?
Made off and made of are both correct English expressions, but they cannot usually be substituted for each other. Made off is a phrasal verb meaning to leave quickly, escape, or depart, sometimes after taking something. Made of is a prepositional phrase used to identify a substance, material, composition, or characteristic.
The confusion occurs because off and of sound similar in many accents. However, off indicates separation or movement away, while of often indicates a relationship, source, material, or composition.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the movement test: if someone or something is leaving, use made off. If you are explaining what something consists of, use made of. For example, “The thief made off with the jewelry” describes movement, while “The necklace is made of gold” describes material.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made off | Phrasal verb | Left quickly or escaped | The suspect made off before the police arrived. |
| Made of | Prepositional phrase | Constructed from or consisting of | The bowl is made of clay. |
How to Use Made Off
Made off is a phrasal verb meaning “left suddenly,” “escaped,” or “departed quickly.” It frequently appears in the construction made off with, which means that someone left while carrying or taking something, often without permission. The expression is common in news reports, storytelling, and informal or semi-formal conversation.
When the phrase refers to a person leaving, made off may simply mean departed quickly. When it refers to stolen property, made off with often suggests theft or dishonest behavior.
Example 1: The children made off when they heard the coach approaching.
Example 2: The burglar made off with several valuable paintings.
Example 3: The dog grabbed the sandwich and made off down the street.
Etymology of the phrase made off
The phrase combines the past tense of make with the adverb off. In this expression, off carries the idea of moving away or separating from a place. The use of make off to mean “depart hurriedly” developed in English as part of the broader pattern in which make combines with an adverb to express movement or action.
How to Use Made Of
Made of identifies the material or substance used to create something. It is generally used when the original material remains recognizable in the finished object. For example, a chair can be made of wood, and a ring can be made of silver.
The phrase can also describe a person’s essential qualities or character. In expressions such as “She is made of strong material,” it has a figurative meaning. In ordinary writing and speech, made of is neutral and extremely common.
Example 1: This table is made of reclaimed oak.
Example 2: The costume was made of lightweight fabric.
Example 3: He is made of sterner stuff than his critics realize.
Etymology of the phrase made of
The phrase combines made, the past participle of make, with the preposition of. The verb make comes from Old English macian, meaning to create, construct, or prepare. The preposition of has Germanic origins and has long expressed relationships involving source, material, possession, and connection.
Related Concepts
Understanding phrasal verbs and prepositions makes the distinction between made off and made of easier to remember.
- Phrasal verbs: A phrasal verb combines a verb with an adverb or preposition to create a distinct meaning. In made off, the word off changes the meaning of made to indicate departure.
- Prepositions: Prepositions show relationships between words. In made of, of introduces the material, source, or quality connected with an object.
- Material descriptions: Expressions such as made of wood, made of glass, and made of metal identify what an object consists of.
- Movement expressions: Words such as off, away, and out often appear in phrases describing departure or escape.
Examples from Media and Literature
These expressions appear in many kinds of real-world writing, including fiction, journalism, advertising, and film dialogue.
- Crime news: A news report may state that a suspect “made off with cash” after a robbery.
- Children’s literature: An adventure story may describe a character or animal that “made off into the forest” after causing trouble.
- Historical fiction: A narrator might explain that a messenger made off before the enemy discovered the plan.
- Product descriptions: A furniture advertisement may say that a cabinet is made of solid walnut.
- Film and television dialogue: A character may ask what a prop is made of, while another character complains that someone made off with it.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase, made off or made of, to complete each sentence.
- The statue was ______ marble.
- The pickpocket ______ with the wallet.
- These curtains are ______ recycled cotton.
- The rabbit grabbed the lettuce and ______ toward the garden.
- Her confidence is ______ determination and experience.
Answer Key
- made of
- made off
- made of
- made off
- made of
Made Off Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Departed | Left a place, either calmly or quickly. |
| Fled | Ran away to avoid danger, capture, or responsibility. |
| Escaped | Got away from confinement, danger, or pursuit. |
| Absconded | Left secretly, often after taking money or property. |
Made Of Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Composed of | Consisting of particular parts or materials. |
| Constructed from | Built using specified materials. |
| Formed from | Created or shaped using a particular substance or source. |
| Comprised of | Made up of specific parts or elements. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “made off” grammatically correct?
Yes. Made off is a correct phrasal verb meaning left quickly or escaped. The phrase made off with commonly suggests that someone took something, often dishonestly.
Question 2: Is it “made off of” or “made of”?
Use made of when describing material or composition. In standard English, “The chair is made of wood” is the preferred form. The expression “made off of” is generally considered nonstandard for this meaning.
Question 3: What is the difference between “made of” and “made from”?
Both can describe materials, but made of is often used when the original material remains recognizable, such as “a bowl made of clay.” Made from is common when the material has undergone a significant transformation, such as “paper made from recycled fibers.”
Conclusion
Made off and made of are both correct, but they serve different purposes. Choose made off for quick departure or escape, especially in made off with. Choose made of to describe an object’s material, composition, or qualities. Pro tip: Selecting the precise phrase strengthens your professional reputation by making your writing clear and polished.
