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I know that to make friends with somebody is idiomatic in English.

But in India I hear people saying

I want to make friendship with you

I think native speakers do not accept make friendship with somebody. I do not know whether it is grammatically correct or not.

But I think the following sentences are grammatically correct.

  1. I want to be your friend.
  2. I want to start friendship with you.

I want to know know other possible expressions with regard to make friends

I herewith attach a link which shows the usage.

ColleenV
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Jvlnarasimharao
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1 Answers1

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Well, if you are aware that something is Indian English, be cautious using it before the English speaking community. Though some InE expressions (such as 'kindly do the needful'; 'picturization of something') are now at least understood if not well accepted, they still have some grey area to improve.

Again, you are correct!

I want to make friendship with you is InE but well understood.

The other variations as you asked may include...

strike up a friendship

or simply...

let's be friends (a bit informal)
let's have frienship (again, informal)

Maulik V
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  • @Mauik V. some of the so called Indian English expressions are borrowed from old English.Do the needful is not entirely Indian English – Jvlnarasimharao Sep 13 '19 at 06:44
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    Nope! It was originated in India but was spoken in England lately. Again, due to Indian influence there. Nevertheless, they stopped using it later. However, I never said that it is ungrammatical or unusual! It would just sound foreign today in those countries. – Maulik V Sep 13 '19 at 06:49
  • Useful: https://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/17278/whats-a-preferred-alternative-to-the-phrase-do-the-needful – Maulik V Sep 13 '19 at 06:51