"make" versus "build up"

[Toshi]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #88 "Common English Errors (4)", question 4

After the car accident, Bob had to ......... his endurance during his rehabilitation classes.

(a) make
(b) build more
(c) build forward
(d) build up

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #88 "Common English Errors (4)", answer 4

After the car accident, Bob had to build up his endurance during his rehabilitation classes.

Correct answer: (d) build up

Your answer was: incorrect
After the car accident, Bob had to make his endurance during his rehabilitation classes.
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Why not use "make" in this sentense ?
Thank you.

Toshi

[Yankee]

Hi Toshi

The word 'endurance' is connected with the idea of strength. After a long hospitalization and/or serious injury you are weaker. You have not lost all of your strength and endurance entirely, but you have lost some of it. The rehabilitation is designed to increase (build up) your endurance again. You could also say 'build up/increase your strength'. The verb 'make' cannot be used with these nouns this way.

However, you could use 'make' with an adjective and say "make (someone) stronger".
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Ron1970]

I concur with Yankee. "Build up" is an idiom that can also mean develop or enhance. In terms of direction, it's always forward, never backward.

With regards to make, it implies build, create and invent. As a causative, make is used to imply causing something to happen.