ENGLISH GRAMMAR
MAKE vs DO: When to use these verbs. Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast rule in English concerning the use of make and do. In general, however, we use 'make' when we build, construct or create something and 'do' for tasks and activities.
MAKE : ‘Make’ is used to talk about producing, constructing, creating or building something new. Make a cake, a tart, a dessert... Make breakfast, dinner, a sandwich, soup, a cup of coffee...
Make a dress, a bracelet, a box...
Make furniture, paper flowers, a vegetable patch ...
Make’ is used to talk about plans, proposals, ideas.
Make arrangements, plans, reservations, appointments...
Make a suggestion, a commitment, a promise, an offer, a wish...
Make a plan, a list, a choice, a decision, a rule ...
Make’ is used to refer to speaking and sounds.
Make a noise, a sound, a commotion, a phone call...
Make a comment, a remark, a speech, a declaration, a statement, an objection, an allusion, a threat ...
Make’ is used to talk about changes and results.
Make a change, a difference, an exception, an effort, a start...
Make a profit, a loss, money, a fortune...
Make progress, a discovery, a move, an offer, a mistake...
Make sure, make sense...
‘Make' is also used to talk about the materials used to make or create something, or the country where it is produced.
The belt is made of genuine leather.
The toy was made in China.
Make Vs Do :‘Do’ is used to talk about work, a job, a task or household activities.
Do chores, a job, business, your duty...
Do the housework, the laundry, the gardening...
Do your hair, your nails, your make-up...
‘Do’ is used to talk about intellectual or artistic work or study.
Do a a course, a degree, an exam, a test...
Do a project, a survey, research
Do your homework, a translation,
Do a drawing, a painting, the crosswords...
Do’ is used to talk about body movements.
Do aerobics, gymnastics, yoga, tap dancing, exercises...
Do squats, press-ups, stretching ...
Do’ is also used for abstract or general activities without being specific.
anything, everything, nothing, something...
right/wrong, justice, your best, the minimum, the maximum, a favour, harm/damage...
What are you doing this week-end?
She does everything around the house.
I’m bored doing nothing. Can I do anything to help?
Remember:
'Do' is also an auxiliary verb for making questions in the present tense: "Do you like fish?"
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