'Make' or 'Do'?

It can be hard to decide when to use 'make' or 'do' in English. Here's some help.

1: We use 'make' when we create or construct something. For example:

• She made a cake.

• I've made us some coffee.

• Did you really make those trousers?

2: We use 'do' for general activities. In this case, 'do' is often used with 'something', 'nothing', 'anything' or 'everything':

• What did you do at the weekend?

• I didn't do anything yesterday.

• She's fed up with doing everything herself. She needs some help.

• Are you doing anything interesting during the holidays?

NOTE: 'What do you do?' means 'what's your job?'

3: There are many, many fixed expressions with 'make' and 'do'. Unfortunately, they don't really follow any useful rules, so you have to learn them. Sorry!

DO:

• 30 mph (miles per hour) : Many people do more than 30 mph through this town. It's very dangerous.

• badly : She did very badly on the exam, so she'll have to retake it.

• your best : Don't worry about getting everything correct. Just do your best.

• business: It's been a pleasure doing business with you.

• chores: I have to go home and do some chores this afternoon.

• a course: John has decided to do a course in computing this autumn.

• a crossword: She sat on the sofa, doing a crossword and drinking tea.

• damage: The storm has done a lot of damage to the house.

• the dishes / the washing up: I really hate doing the dishes. I'm hoping to buy a dishwasher this year.

• a drawing: The little boy spent hours doing a drawing.

• your duty: He has to do his duty and look after his elderly parents.

• an exam: I have to do three exams and write a huge essay this term.

• exercise: Julie likes doing exercise, especially running.

• an exercise: The teacher asked us to do a lot of grammar exercises over the holidays

• someone a favor: My friend did me a huge favor and lent me some money.

• the gardening: David often spends Sunday afternoons doing gardening.

• good: She helps homeless people and tries to do good.

• you good: You should eat your vegetables. They'll do you good!

• harm: I split coffee on my suit and tried to clean it, but I did more harm than good. It looks even worse now!

• homework: Have you finished doing your homework?

• the ironing: My mother listens to the radio while she does the ironing.

• a job: I think the students did a great job with this essay. It's excellent.

• the laundry / the washing: He did the laundry, cleaned the house, and made dinner.

• your nails: Jenny likes to do her nails each week.

• a painting: There was an old man sitting on the bank of the river, doing a painting.

• paperwork: Does everybody hate doing paperwork?

• research: I'm doing some research for my thesis at the moment.

• the shopping: I'll do the shopping tomorrow morning. We need milk, bread, pasta and bananas.

• time (= be in prison): He broke into a bank, was caught by the police, and now he's doing time.

• well: My sister is doing well in her new job.

• work: Unfortunately, Lucy does a lot of work at the weekends.

• your worst: I've bought all new winter clothes:– boots, a coat and a very warm hat. Weather, do your worst!

MAKE:

• amends: I'm so sorry that I upset you. How can I make amends?

• an appointment: She had toothache, so she made an appointment with the dentist for the following day.

• arrangements: Okay, so we're going to go on holiday in September. Let's make some arrangements. I'll find a hotel, and you can look at flights.

• an attempt: I know we might not catch the plane, but let's at least make an attempt to be on time.

• believe: The children's favorite game is to make believe that they are kings and queens from long ago.

• certain: I think the café opens at six, but let's make certain. I don't want to be standing in the street waiting!

• a change: I've made some changes to the document.

• a choice: Which job are you going to take? You need to make a choice.

• a comment: My mother made a comment about my shoes.

• a complaint: The food took so long to arrive that Julie made a complaint to the manager.

• a confession I'd like to make a confession. I was the one who ate the last of the chocolate.

• a date: I'd love to see you soon. How about if we make a date for next week?

• a decision: I've made my decision. I'm going to go back to university.

• a difference: Going to the gym has really made a difference to how I feel.

• a discovery: When John was last in London he made a discovery - a beautiful little café in a quiet street.

• an effort: You're not trying hard enough! Make an effort!

• an error: He made several errors on the report, and the boss told him to rewrite it.

• your escape: The bank robbers took £10,000 from the safe and then made their escape.

• an exception: Usually the children aren't allowed to watch TV but I made an exception today since the weather was so horrible.

• an excuse: Why was Lisa late? Did she make an excuse?

• a fire: We put up our tent, made a fire, and had a hot drink.

• a fool of yourself: You shouldn't sing in front of everyone! You'll make a fool of yourself.

• a fortune: Lucy made a fortune when she sold her company. Now she doesn't have to work.

• fun of: The children love to make fun of the teacher,– but only when she's not looking.

• an impression: Jenny certainly made an impression last night! All my friends are asking about her.

• a joke: The interview was very tense at the beginning, but then John made a joke, and after that it was much more relaxed.

• a mistake: She made so many mistakes in her essay that the teacher couldn't understand it.

• money: John made a lot of money in his twenties and was able to retire at the age of 35.

• an observation: Could I make an observation? I don't think some of our customers like the new adverts.

• an offer: She made an offer on a house. She's nervous because she'll find out today if it has been accepted, and she really wants to buy that house.

• a payment: Hello? I'd like to make a credit card payment, please.

• a prediction: The journalist made a prediction about the economy, but in the end it wasn't correct.

• progress: Finally, after being stuck in a traffic jam for an hour, we're making some progress! We'll arrive by 8pm.

• a promise: I must study hard today. I made a promise to my mum that I wouldn't fail any more exams.

• a remark: John was upset because the boss made a negative remark about his work.

• the bed: Could you please make the bed before you leave the house? Otherwise it looks so messy with the duvet and the pillows everywhere.

• a reservation: Could you call the restaurant and make a reservation for tonight?

• time (=find time to do something): Everybody's busy, but you need to make time to study. Otherwise you won't be able to get a better job.

• trouble: That employee is trying to make trouble. He is always telling the boss bad things about his colleagues.

• a visit: I'll call you this afternoon.– I need to make a visit to my granny this morning.

• your mind up: Do you want chocolate or strawberry ice cream? Make your mind up quickly!

• your way: After the film, John made his way to a café, where he had two cups of coffee and some cake.