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.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

No comments yet.

Leave a comment