Make or do?

This is a typical example of something that has always confused English students, exemplified by the classic, “Yes, I made my homework.” How many times have you heard or said this? Is there a rule students may apply to use each correctly?

Unfortunately, in this case there are more exceptions than rules, however, there are a couple of general guidelines to follow.

If we talk about jobs, work, or tasks, we use do:

My husband does the laundry, the shopping, the housework, and he does a great job!

So, we also do: the cooking, the cleaning, the ironing (any task in –ing), as well as the dishes and the windows.

I’m sorry, ma’am. I can do the housework, but I don’t do windows.

And we use do with job: You did a fantastic job in your presentation.

There are some common expressions with do:
Do your best, do exercise, do business, do someone a favor, do homework, do a sport, do work, do good, do harm, do well

Finally, we use Do for general ideas when we don’t exactly name an activity. This form is often used with the words something, nothing, anything, everything, etc.
Ann: “What are you doing tonight?”
Tom: “I’m not doing anything special.”

On the other hand, if we talk about creating, building something we use make:

My little girl made something for me for Mother’s Day.

So, we use make:
- for any food: make spaghetti, make a cake
- for something you build or create with your own hands: make a chair, make a toy

But also:
- for feelings that are aroused in you or you arouse in someone; a reaction that is caused: The film made me sad.
I make him happy and I can make him laugh.
The English course in Denver made me feel more confident.

Of course, there are many expressions with make, as well:
Make an appointment, make the bed, make an effort, make a photocopy, make progress, make a promise, make a noise (or just “noise”), make a decision, make an excuse, make friends, make fun of someone, make a fuss, make a mess, make a phone call, make a plan, make a suggestion, make a mistake, make money, make an exception, make arrangements

So, do yourself a big favor. Do something to improve your English today. Sign up for an English course in Denver at LCI! You won’t be making a mistake. You’ll make great progress and make great friends while you’re at it.

Future with going to or will: Is there a difference?

It´s definitely not the same thing. It’s all a matter of decision. Let´s see some examples:

I´m having a party. I´m going to invite lots of people.

Here, the speaker has clearly already made a decision (before the time of speaking). The decision to invite lots of people to the party. There doesn’t seem to be any doubt about it.

Let´s see what happens here:

Hey! I think I´ll have a party! I´ll invite lots of people.

So, in the second example, it is clear to see that the speaker has made the decision spontaneously, at the time of speaking.

Let´s look at some more examples:

Sarah: “I´m going to have a party. I want to invite Tom, but I don´t have his number.”

John: “I´ll give you his number.”

Sarah has made the decision to have a party (she´s going to have one), while John spontaneously decides to give her Tom’s number (I´ll give it to you).

This brings us to another use of will. John also offers to give Sarah Tom’s number. So, will can also be used to offer to do something.

Ann: “I have a terrible headache.”

Tom: “I´ll get you some aspirin.”

What if you’re not sure about what you’ll be doing? Then, you also use will. I think I´ll see Claire tomorrow in class, but I´m not sure she’s going.

We often use I think I´ll…, or I don´t think I´ll….

What about predictions about the future? Well, you can make a prediction by using will. Marta will learn a lot in her English course in Denver. And she´ll enjoy it, too.

However, if your prediction is based on evidence, something you see now, then you should use going to. Look at those clouds! It´s going to rain any minute now.

So, here, we see there´s the matter of certainty. Whenever, you use words like probably, perhaps, I think, I believe, etc…you use will to make your prediction. If however, you’re certain your prediction will come true because all of the evidence points to it , then use going to: “I feel horrible. I`m going to be sick.”

Do you have many more doubts like these? Then consider the option of taking English courses in Denver at LCI. The teachers are experienced and able to answer all of your questions about grammar, or learning English in general.

The difference between “being” and “been”

Confused as to when to use being and when to use been? Is is that important to know the difference? Are both pronounced the same way?

It is most definitely very important to know the difference between the two. Let´s start with the ONE thing they have in common. They are both participles of the verb “to be”. This is why a lot of students have a hard time; we’re dealing with the same verb. Now, the main difference is that being is the present participle (all present participles end in “–ing”, like swimming, running, learning). On the other hand been is the past participle (some past participles end in “–ed”, like learned, studied, others are irregular like, run, swum, written, spoken).

Now, let´s see how each is used.

The present participle, being, is used in the passive voice, namely, the passive form of the present continuous or progressive, and the past continuous or progressive. Let´s look at this more closely.

1) Passive form of the present continuous or progressive: English courses are being taught in Denver. Classes are being given every day. Sarah is being interviewed for a teaching position as we speak.

Here, we clearly see that these actions are in progress in the present, or at the time of speaking, this is why we use the present continuous. Being is necessary in its passive form.

2) Passive form of the past continuous or progressive: English courses were being taught when I arrived in Denver. Classes were being given every day. The day I arrived, Sarah was being interviewed for a teaching position.

Here, on the other hand, we see that the actions were in progress at a specific moment in the past (when I arrived in Denver). But in both continuous tenses we use being in the passive forms.

The past participle, been, is also used in the passive voice, but can also be used in several other tenses, as well.

Uses of been:

1) Present perfect: I’ve been to Denver twice. I’ve never been late to class. I’ve been an English student for five years.

2) Present perfect continuous or progressive: I have been teaching English for over 15 years. I’ve been working in Denver.

3) Past perfect: Denver was a great place to study! I had never been there before. I had never been with such interesting, friendly people.

4) Past perfect continuous or progressive: When I first came to Denver, I had been studying English for five years. I had been looking for a different kind of learning experience.

5) Passive form of the present perfect: Many classes have been given this semester. English students have been taught well. Several topics have been covered.

6) Passive form of the past perfect: George did very well on his test. The grammar had been explained very clearly.

Finally, let´s consider how each is pronounced. Being is pronounced as two syllables, be-ing, while been, is just one syllable, and sounds like “bin”, as in “recycle bin”.

If you’re interested in learning more about these and other topics, you should consider taking English lessons in Denver at LCI. The teachers have years of experience and will gladly clear up your doubts.