DO or MAKE ?
Which one do I use ?

The verbs "make' and "do" often confused by Spanish-speakers because both words mean "hacer". However, "make " and "do" have very distinct meanings in English.
The verb "make" in English is generally used usually used with activities. There are many exceptions to this "rule"

Here are few guidelines :

Make often has the meaning of produce, create, or prepare :

* I made o fire, then I made myself a meal. After the meal I made some coffee.

* That motorcycle makes a lot of noise, don't you think?

Do is usually the correct words when are talking about a general activity : that is, we do not specify its nature.

* I hope you know what you are doing.

* If you do that, you'll regret it.

Do is usually the correct word when we are talking about work.
(In this sense it is often used with the -ing work activities : cooking, shopping, washing- up, sewing, cleaning, etc.)

* It's the weekend. I don't do any work on the weekend : no homework, no housework,nothing.

* I never do the shopping. My wife the shopping. My wife does that. But I always do the cooking.

Correct Forms : I do all the homework, including the cooking and the cleaning.
Common Errors : I make all the homework, including the cooking and the cleaning.

Correct Forms : I was cold so I made a cup of coffee.
Common Errors: I was cold so I did a cup of coffee.
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"DO" for activities ( daily activities)

Use the verb "do" to express daily activities or jobs. Notice that these are usually activities that produce no physical object.

do homework
do housework
do the ironing
do the dishes
do a job

"DO" for general Ideas
Use the verb "do" when speaking about things in general. In other words, when we do not exactly name an activity. This form is often used with the words " something, nothing, anything, everything, etc."

I'm not doing anything today.
He does everything for his mother.
She's doing nothing at the moment.

Important Expressions with "DO"
There are a number of standard expressions that take the verb"do".
These are standard collocations (verb + noun combination's) that are used in English.

do one's best------> do his best, do her best, do my best, do our best, do their best, do her best, do your best.
do good
do a favor
do harm (do hurt)
do business

"MAKE" for constructing, Building, Creating.
Use 'make" to express an activity that creates something that you can touch.

make food
make a cup of tea - make a cup of coffee
make a mess

Important Expressions with "MAKE"
There are a number of standard expressions that take the verb "make". In a number of cases the verb "DO" seems more appropriate.
These are standard collocations (verb + noun combination) that are used in English.

make a plans
make an exception (something different)
make arrangements (plan)
make a telephone call
make a decision
make a mistake
make noise
make money
make an excuse
make an effort
make a appointment

Do is usually used to describe an action. Do represents action verb. Do can be confusing because it is also an axillary verb. It is common to hear, "What do you want to do ? " The first do is an axillary verb and the final do represent any action verb.

Make usually refers to a product. It means to produce , fabricate, or contruct.

Common Expressions with Do

* do well
* do badly
* do a favor
* do business
* do the dishes
* do chores ( do housework)
* do your laundry
* do your homework
* do lunch (to have lunch with someone)-----> go with someone, you invite pay separately
* do your hair
* do your nails
* do your make-up
* do time ( spend time in jail or prison)
* do away with (murder)

Example: This is my do hair.
Who does do your make-up ? my self.
Do away with ------> no punishment

I late go work everyday, I do away with it. ( no punishment)


Common Expressions with "MAKE"
* make the bed
* make dinner
* make money
* make a mistake
* make do (to survive)
* make a living
* make a living
* make a different
* make a big deal
* make end's meet
* make a decision
* make love
* make war
* make a mess
* make a suggestion
* make an excuse
* make an exception
* make changes


Here are some more examples :

Do is used to describe an action without saying exactly what the action is :

I'm going to do something that you won't believe.
We did somethings around the house on the weekend.

Do is used to speak to talk work and jobs:

I didn't do any work today.
My mother usually does the housework during the week, but my father does most of the chores on the weekend.
Have you done homework ?

Make is used to speak about building, constructing, producing, creating, etc.

Peter made a tree house for his children.
Who made this lovely birthday cake ?
We make our own yogurt.

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Let's practice:
1. Can you ____a reservation for me ? (a. do ----------b. make)

2. I'll ___the shopping and you pick get the wine. (a. do--------b. make.)

3. If you don't_____the travel arrangements soon, it will be too late . (a. do --------b.make_

4. David doesn't____ much money. a. do ------ b.make)

5. I'll ___the housework later. Let's go to the beach now. (a.do------b.make)

6. I'll _____ the appointment for 2:00 in the afternoon. ( a.do----b.make)

7. I'll try not to any more errors. ( a.do -------b.make)

8. Oh, Dear! There is so much laundry to ____ (a.do ----b.make)

9. Look at the yard ! You'll have to ___ it soon. ( a.do----b . make)

10. Will you ___ the painting this week or next week ? (a.do------ b .make)

the answer
1. make
2. do
3. make
4. make
5. do
6. make
7. do
8. do
9. do
10.
do


1. Good students always ____ their homework after class.

2. Before leaving for work, Judy usually _____her bed.

3. I hate asking Roger anything. He can't ___make a decision.

4. After dinner last night, Keila _____the dishes.

5. Dennis asked me if I want to _____lunch at Joe's restaurant.

6. My wife asked me too ____ lunch for the children since she had to work.

7. Before she bought a washer and a dryer, Maria did her laundry at the laundromat.

8. My cousin ___ money every year by selling Christmas trees.

9. After the car wash scratched his car, Baruch said that he would never____ business with them again.

10. After Sorn lost her job, her family had to make do with only her husband's income.

11. Rosa's brother asked her to _____ a favor for him.

12. Andrew doesn't understand why his mother ____ a big deal about taking out the garbage.

13. In 1991 , the United State and other nations ____war against Iraq.

14. Children will _____ a mess if no one watches them.

15. Bophavann lets her daughter go to the mall on Saturdays only after she ____ her chores.

16. Vanrith was happy because he ______ well on his test.

17. Customers aren't usually allowed behind the counter but the manager ____ an exception for MAria last week.

18. Steve works at the supermarket now but he used to ______ a living by working at a the restaurant.

19. Elizabeth was supposed to turn felt on Anaheim Street but she ___ a mistake and turn right.

20. Before going on the date, Somaly had to ________her hair.

21. John and Jody barely earn enough money to ____end's meet.

22. Bill had to _____ time in the county jail after he was convicted of robbing the gas station.

23. Before putting the new lesson on the internet, Harold ____changes that the teachers recommended.

24. After taking power, the dictator ____ away with all of his enemies.

25. The boss asked his employees to _____ suggestions about improving the business.

26. Saving a little money every week will ____ a big difference in a few years.

The answer :
1. do
2. makes
3. make
4. did
5. do
6. make
7. did
8. makes
9. do
10. make
11. do
12. makes
13.

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Extra :

MAKE

make a scene = causar un escandalo
make plans
make an offer
make a suggestion
make decision
make a bed
make an effort
make an excuse
make a mistake
make a noise
make a phone call
make money
make dinner
make trouble
make a list

DO

do the shopping
do work
do homework
do housework
do the cleaning
do the dishes
do gardening
do something interesting
do a good job
do business
do errands
do a favor
do a puzzle
do exercise
do quis

Practice

Use do or make.

1. I need to ___ my shopping today.

2. I need to _____ a list of what I have to buy.

3. We will ____ plans for the birthday party.

4. I try not to ______mistakes on test.

5. Do you have a phone ? I need to _______a call.

6. I need to ____ my homework.

7. My children help me ____ the cleaning.

8. I always ___ a good job on my homework.


9. I need to go to the supermarket, the bank, and dry cleaners. I don't like to ___ do errands.

10. Will you ____ me a favor ?

11. My husband sometimes helps me _______ dinner.

12. I like to ____ puzzles on the weekend.

13. I get nervous when I ___ a quiz. their beds every morning.

14. My children _____ their beds every morning.

15. I will ___ an effort to finish the work.

16. I am getting fat. I need to ____ exercise.

17. I need to get a job so I can ________ money.

18. I need to _____ a decision quickly.

19. We will ____ an offer to buy the house.

20 I don't know what to do . Can you ____- a suggestion ?

The answer:
1. do
2. make
3. make
4. make
5. make
6. do
7. do
8. do
9. do
10. do
11. make
12. do
13. do
14. make
15. make
16. do
17. make
18. make
19. make
20. make.
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