When to use MAKE and when to use DO – What’s the Difference?

Knowing when to use make and when to use do is confusing for many English students.

Use the following as a general guideline:

• make is used when you have something new after the action
• do is used to describe activity

---

Let’s start a list of some of the more common ones.

DO

– laundry (wash, dry, sort, etc.)

– dishes (wash, dry & return to the cupboards)

– your hair (this can mean comb, blow dry, curl, style, etc., but not cut)

– your makeup, nails

– your homework

– housework

– a good/great/poor job at something (e.g., You did a great job washing the car! Last time when I washed it, I did a terrible job.)

– the right thing

– your duty

– your best

– someone a favour

– research

– paperwork

– nothing, anything, something or everything

MAKE

– the bed (tidy the blankets after you sleep)

– make a decision, make up your mind

– make money, a profit

– make plans/arrangements

– make a difference

– make a list

– make progress

– make breakfast, lunch, or dinner

– make a sandwich or a salad

– make something to drink which requires preparation before serving, such as tea or coffee (but not water, beer or wine)

– make friends

– make love (i.e., have sex)

– make fun of someone (i.e., tease in an unkind way)

– make a suggestion

– make a promise, or a commitment

– make a reservation

– make an appointment

– make an excuse

– make a mess

– make an exception

– make sure/certain

– make a point to do something (i.e., be intentional about)

– make an effort

– make a fire