MAKE vs DO

 The main distinction between the verbs do and make is that do generally refers to actions, tasks, or duties, especially those that are routine or non-specific, while make is primarily used to indicate the creation, production, or construction of something new, which can be tangible or intangible (an object, a decision, a noise, etc.).

However, both verbs also appear in many fixed expressions (collocations) that must be learned, as they don't always follow the general rule.

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Examples of Collocations with Do

• Actions, Tasks, or Obligations:

• Do the dishes / the laundry / the ironing / the housework

• Do your homework / an assignment / a job

• Do a favor

• Do business

• General or Non-specific Activities:

• Do something / nothing / anything / everything

• What are you doing?

• Do your best

• Academic/Physical Activities (often routine):

• Do a course / an exam / a test

• Do exercise / yoga / karate

• Do your hair / your nails / your makeup

More Collocations with DO (Actions, Tasks, Routine)

Theme	Collocation	Example Sentence
Work/Study	Do research	I need to do more research before writing the final report.
	Do a degree/course	She decided to do a degree in engineering.
	Do work/business	It's a pleasure doing business with you.
Routine/Chores	Do the cleaning/gardening	We spent the weekend doing a lot of gardening at the cottage.
	Do a good/bad job	The mechanic did a good job fixing the brakes.
Vague/General	Do well/badly	He did well in the final examination.
	Do without	We can't afford a new car, so we'll have to do without one for now.
	Do the right thing	You should always try to do the right thing, even when it's hard.
Damage/Good	Do harm/damage	The fire did serious damage to the building.
	Do good	He volunteers at the shelter because he wants to do good for the community.

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Examples of Collocations with Make

• Creation or Production (Food, Objects):

• Make a cake / a sandwich / a cup of tea

• Make breakfast / lunch / dinner

• Make a dress / furniture

• Communication or Sounds:

• Make a phone call

• Make a comment / a suggestion

• Make a joke / a speech

• Make a noise / a sound

• Decisions, Plans, or Progress:

• Make a decision / a choice

• Make a mistake

• Make plans / an arrangement / a reservation

• Make progress / an effort

• Make up your mind (meaning 'decide')

• Money or Relationships:

• Make money / a profit

• Make friends

• Make a promise

• Make an excuse

More Collocations with MAKE (Creation, Result, Impression)

Theme	Collocation	Example Sentence
Arrangements/Plans	Make an appointment	I have to make an appointment with the dentist.
	Make arrangements	Let's make the arrangements for the party next week.
	Make a list	Please make a list of all the guests.
Progress/Change	Make a difference	Volunteering can make a difference in someone's life.
	Make a change	The manager decided to make a change to the schedule.
	Make an effort	You have to make an effort if you want to succeed.
Relationships/Social	Make amends	He tried to make amends for forgetting her birthday.
	Make an impression	She was nervous about making a good impression at the interview.
	Make peace	After the argument, the two neighbors decided to make peace.
General Result	Make a fortune/living	She makes a living as a freelance writer.
	Make a fuss	Stop making a fuss about a small mistake!
Choose the correct form of the verb (make or do) to complete each sentence. 1. I need to hurry up and ________ the laundry before it rains. a) make  b) do 2. The company hopes to ________ a profit by the end of the fiscal year.  a) make b) do 3. Could you ________ me a huge favor and pick up my mail while I'm away? a) make  b) do 4. We are going to ________ plans to travel to Japan next spring.  a) make  b) do 5. He always ________ his best in every task he is given. a) makes  b) does 6. If you want to succeed, you have to ________ an effort.  a) make  b) do 7. She loves to ________ her own jewelry and sell it online.  a) make  b) do 8. The teacher asked the student to ________ some cleaning around the classroom.  a) make  b) do 9. I'm sorry, I think I ________ a mistake on the first question. a) made  b) did 10. What are you going to ________ about the noise from the neighbors?  a) make  b) do Answer Key b) do (Routine chore/task) a) make (Creation of money/profit) b) do (General action/task, fixed expression: do a favor) a) make (Creation of an arrangement/plan) b) does (Fixed expression: do one's best) a) make (Creation of an effort/attempt) a) make (Creation/production of an object) b) do (Routine task/activity) a) made (Fixed expression: make a mistake) b) do (General, non-specific action)	Make your bed	Please make your bed before you leave the house.