Make vs Do at a glance
- make
/meɪk/ · verb
To create or produce something that did not exist before.
- Can you make a cup of tea while I finish this email?
- Try not to make so much noise, the baby is asleep.
- do
/duː/ · verb
To carry out an action, task or activity, especially work or a job.
- I need to do my homework before dinner.
- Could you do me a favour and water the plants?
How to remember it
Ask yourself: is there a new thing at the end? If yes, it's usually make (make a cake, make a plan). If it's just an activity or job, it's do (do the dishes, do exercise).
Good to know
Common make collocations: make a mistake, make a decision, make a phone call, make money, make friends, make an effort, make noise, make the bed. Common do collocations: do homework, do the housework, do the shopping, do exercise, do your best, do business, do a favour, do a course.
Common mistakes
Wrong: I have to make my homework tonight.
Right: I have to do my homework tonight.
Wrong: Sorry, I did a mistake in the report.
Right: Sorry, I made a mistake in the report.
Wrong: Can you make me a favour?
Right: Can you do me a favour?
Quick quiz
1.It took us ages to a decision about the flat.
2.Who's going to the washing-up tonight?
3.She wants to new friends at university.
Pick the right word for each gap.