Contents
Understanding the difference between “do” and “make” can be tricky for English learners. This reference covers main sections like definitions and usage. You’ll also find important expressions with “do” and “make.”
Do vs. Make: the Main Differences
Do vs. Make: Definitions and Usages
When it comes to distinguishing between “do” and “make,” we often find ourselves confused, but with a few learning tips, we can master their usage. Let’s break it down.
Do: We use “do” when referring to general activities that do not result in a physical object. It’s often utilized for tasks, jobs, and activities that are part of our daily routines.
- Examples: do homework, do the dishes, do a good job
Make: The verb “make” is for creating or producing something tangible or intangible. It carries the sense of creation or construction.
- Examples: make a cake, make a decision, make friends
Memorize Common Collocations
- To get accustomed to how “do” and “make” are used, familiarize yourself with commonly paired words (collocations). Here’s a simple list to start with:
| Do | Make |
|---|---|
| Do business | Make a change |
| Do well | Make money |
| Do harm | Make plans |
| Do your best | Make sense |
Important Expressions with “Do”
Common collocations with DO: do an activity, or action such as works, jobs and tasks
Housework
- Do the housework
- Do laundry
- Do your chores
- Do the washing up (UK)
- Do the shopping
- Do the cleaning
- Do the cooking
- Do the dishes
- Do the ironing
- Do your duty
Work/Study
- Do homework
- Do an assignment
- Do a report
- Do a test (UK)
- Do a project
- Do a course (UK)
- Do a deal
- Do some reading
- Do some writing
- Do some studying
- Do the math
- Do sums
- Do research
- Do experiments
- Do business
- Do the paperwork
- Do crosswords
Taking care of your body
- Do exercise
- Do gymnastics
- Do your makeup
- Do your hair
- Do your nails
Do non-specific activities
- Do a favour (UK) / Do a favor (US)
- Do badly
- Do harm
- Do damage
- Do your best
- Do a good job
- Do well
- Do nothing
- Do anything
- Do something
- Do everything
- Do better
- Do the right thing
- Do something right
- Do something wrong
- Do the maximum
- Do the minimum
Important Expressions with “Make”
Common Collocations with Make in English.
Housework
- Make the bed
- Make room
Food, Drink and Meals
- Make a cake
- Make breakfast
- Make dinner
- Make a cup of tea
- Make a sandwich
- Make a salad
- Make a tea
- Make a snack
Communications
- Make a noise
- Make a comment
- Make a joke
- Make a point
- Make arrangements
- Make a speech
- Make a suggestion
- Make a complaint
- Make a confession
- Make a prediction
- Make an excuse
- Make a promise
- Make a fuss
- Make an observation
- Make a mistake
- Make a call
- Make a reservation
- Make a rude gesture
- Make a statement
- Make noise
- Make an impression
- Make an enquiry
- Make an appearance
- Make an agreement
- Make a sound
- Make a presentation
- Make a recovery
- Make peace
Relationships/ Reaction
- Make your eyes water
- Make you happy
- Make you sleep
- Make you smile
- Make friends
- Make love
- Make up
- Make fun of someone
- Make a pass at
- Make a break with sb/ sth (UK)
- Make a fool of yourself
Plan/Decision
- Make a contract
- Make progress
- Make a choice
- Make a plan
- Make a decision
- Make an attempt/ effort
- Make up your mind
- Make a discovery
- Make a list
- Make sure
- Make a difference
- Make an exception
- Make an offer
- Make a note (of)
- Make a prediction
Money
- Make money
- Make a profit
- Make a fortune
Product Material
- Made of gold/silver
- Made from oranges/lemons
- Made in Japan/China
- Made by me
Others
- Make believe
- Make sense
- Make changes
- Make sure
- Make trouble
- Make up your mind
- Make war
- Make one’s bow (UK)
- Make an objection
- Make an allusion
- Make a threat
- Make a difference
- Make a fire
- Make a habit
- Make a living
- Make a mess
- Make a dress
- Make a move
DO vs. MAKE: Examples
“Do” Example
- I have to do my homework before I can go out.
- She does a lot of work around the house.
- He’s doing well in his new job.
- We need to do the dishes after dinner.
- They do their best to help the community.
“Make” is used when talking about creating, building, or producing something, particularly when a physical object is the result. It is also used with some specific expressions that involve a result or outcome.
“Make” Example
- She likes to make her own clothes.
- He made a cake for his sister’s birthday.
- The company is making a profit this year.
- We made plans for the weekend.
- The children made a mess in the playroom.
Interactive Exercises
Fill-in-the-Blank
- I need to _____ the laundry before we go out. (do/make)
- Can you _____ me a favor and pick up some groceries? (do/make)
- She always _____ her best to help others. (do/make)
- The company plans to _____ a significant profit this year. (do/make)
- He’s going to _____ a speech at the wedding. (do/make)
- Please _____ sure the doors are locked before leaving. (do/make)
- They _____ a lot of noise when they play music at home. (do/make)
- We have to _____ a decision about where to go on vacation. (do/make)
- She _____ yoga every morning to stay flexible. (do/make)
- The chef is going to _____ a cake for the birthday party. (do/make)
Answers
- I need to do the laundry before we go out.
- Can you do me a favor and pick up some groceries?
- She always does her best to help others.
- The company plans to make a significant profit this year.
- He’s going to make a speech at the wedding.
- Please make sure the doors are locked before leaving.
- They make a lot of noise when they play music at home.
- We have to make a decision about where to go on vacation.
- She does yoga every morning to stay flexible.
- The chef is going to make a cake for the birthday party.
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