Make or do
Both verbs often translate to the same word in other languages. As a rough guide, make is for creating or producing something that did not exist before, and do is for tasks, activities and work. The rough guide has many exceptions, so learn the pairs.
make
- make a mistake
- make a decision
- make progress
- make an effort
- make money
- make a phone call
- make a suggestion
- make a complaint
- make an appointment'Have an appointment' means you already have one.
- make friends
- make a difference
- make a speechAlso 'give a speech'.
- make ends meet · idiomIdiom: have just enough money to live on.
do
- do the housework
- do the dishesIn British English also 'the washing-up'.
- do homeworkIn American English 'do' is also used for school assignments; 'make homework' is never correct.
- do someone a favourAmerican spelling: favor.
- do your best
- do businessdo business with someone
- do research
- do an exercise
- do damagedo damage / do harm / do good
- do a course'Do a degree' and 'do a course' are British; American English says 'take a course' and 'get a degree'.
- do the shoppingAlso 'go shopping' for a fun trip to the shops.
Now try it
10 gap-fill questions on this set.