MAKE and DO
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
