Using do and make
can be difficult in English because the meaning is similar and their use is
different.
Generally speaking, use do for
activity and make to create something. Compare these examples:
·
I always do my homework in the evenings.
·
I like spaghetti. I make it everyday
But there are other things to
consider when using do and make. Here are some tips
to help you make the right choice.
When to
use do?
Use do when someone
performs an action, activity or task.
Examples:
Examples:
·
do
...the dishes
... an exercise
... the laundry
... the ironing
...the dishes
... an exercise
... the laundry
... the ironing
We use often use do to
refer to work of any kind.
Examples:
·
do
... your work
... homework
... housework
... your job
... business
... your hair
... your nails
... your work
... homework
... housework
... your job
... business
... your hair
... your nails
Use the verb 'do' when you
speak about general thing (to describe an action without saying exactly what
the action is.)
Examples:
I've got nothing to do
today.
He doesn't do anything all day long.
She does everything to attract him.
He doesn't do anything all day long.
She does everything to attract him.
These are some expressions that you
can use with do:
Examples:
·
do
... one's best
... good
... harm
... a favor
... business
... things right / badly / well
... good
... harm
... time - (to go to prison)
... your best / worst.
... one's best
... good
... harm
... a favor
... business
... things right / badly / well
... good
... harm
... time - (to go to prison)
... your best / worst.
When to
use make?
We use the verb make to
construct, build or create. The result is something that you can touch.
She makes beautiful
dresses
Let'smake a cup of coffee!
can you make a cup of tea?
They make delicious food in this restaurant!
Let'smake a cup of coffee!
can you make a cup of tea?
They make delicious food in this restaurant!
These are some important expressions
that you can use with make:
·
make
... arrangements
... an attempt
... bed
... believe
... change
... a choice
... a comment
... a complaint
... a decision
... a demand
... a difference
... an effort
... an exception
... an excuse
... an inquiry
... a fool of yourself
... a fortune
... friends
... a fuss
... a journey
... love
... a mess
... a mistake
... money
... a move
... a noise
... an offer
... peace
... a phone call
... a plan
... a point
... a profit
... a promise
... a remark
... a sound
... a speech
... a suggestion
... time
... a visit
... war
... arrangements
... an attempt
... bed
... believe
... change
... a choice
... a comment
... a complaint
... a decision
... a demand
... a difference
... an effort
... an exception
... an excuse
... an inquiry
... a fool of yourself
... a fortune
... friends
... a fuss
... a journey
... love
... a mess
... a mistake
... money
... a move
... a noise
... an offer
... peace
... a phone call
... a plan
... a point
... a profit
... a promise
... a remark
... a sound
... a speech
... a suggestion
... time
... a visit
... war
