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
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
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
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.