DO vs MAKE — what’s the difference?
DO → the activity/process (tasks, duties, general actions). MAKE → the result/product (create, produce, cause).
do = perform/complete
make = create/produce/cause
study & work · housework
food & drink · decisions
set phrases & pitfalls
DOtasks, duties, repeated activities
Think “perform”: If you can replace the verb with perform/complete, use do.
Study & work
- do homework / do an assignment / do a course
- do work / do business
Housework & repetitive tasks
- do the dishes / the laundry / the shopping / the ironing
- do housework
Good or bad actions
- do well / do badly / do your best / do too much
- do something / nothing / everything
Sports, hobbies & self-care
- do exercise / do yoga / do karate
- do your hair / do your nails
Useful set phrases
- do someone a favor/favour
- do the cooking/cleaning/gardening
- do research
MAKEcreation, result, or causing something
Think “produce/result”: If the focus is what you create or cause, use make.
Food & drink
- make lunch/dinner · make a cake · make coffee
- make a sandwich / a snack
Arrangements & decisions
- make an appointment / make plans / make a list
- make a choice / make a decision / make a mistake
Speaking, sounds & relationships
- make a promise / make a phone call / make a joke
- make a suggestion / make an excuse / make a noise
- make friends / make peace
Money & progress
- make a lot of money / make $10 an hour / make a living
- make progress / make an effort / make time (find time)
Common pitfallsmemorise these pairs
- do homework (not make homework)
- make a decision (not do a decision)
- make the bed (but do the housework)
- do a favor · make an effort · do research · make progress
Recap: use do for actions and responsibilities; use make for creating, producing, or causing a result. When in doubt, ask: “Am I performing a task (do) or producing something (make)?”
Exercises:
Do vs Make: What’s the difference?
Choose ‘do’ or ‘make’ to complete these sentences.
1
He promised to
his best in the interview.
2
Can you
a reservation for 7 p.m.?
3
Did you
the laundry this morning?
4
She needs to
a phone call before we leave.
5
We should
some research before choosing a supplier.
6
The neighbors often
a lot of noise at night.
7
The chef will
a cake for the event.
8
It's time to
the beds and tidy the room.
9
Before launching, we must
a few changes to the UI.
10
The new intern will
data entry and other routine tasks.
Do vs Make: What’s the difference?
Choose ‘do’ or ‘make’ for the gaps below.
1
Sofia ____ yoga every morning before work.
A.
B.
2
I haven’t ____ the laundry yet.
A.
B.
3
Could you ____ an appointment with the dentist for Friday?
A.
B.
4
He ____ a terrible mistake in the contract, but he fixed it.
A.
B.
5
We need to ____ a decision today.
A.
B.
6
She ____ the dishes while I cooked.
A.
B.
7
The team has ____ great progress this month.
A.
B.
8
Could you ____ me a favor and send the file now?
A.
B.
9
Stop ____ excuses and get to work.
A.
B.
10
Have you ____ the weekly report yet?
A.
B.
Do vs Make: What’s the difference?
Fill in the gaps with ‘make’ or ‘do’ in the present simple, present continuous, past simple, or present perfect form. Use the subject or word in brackets where needed.
1
What (you) for dinner last night?
2
Pat usually her homework in the kitchen.
3
We (not) any plans for the summer holidays yet.
4
We (not) anything exciting last weekend.
5
I yoga at the gym three times a week.
6
Tim a promise to his girlfriend last night.
7
Sally a lot of mistakes in her history exam yesterday.
8
I my hair every morning.
9
I the laundry right now.
10
He (already) three phone calls about the project today.