“Do” and “make” are among the most frequently used verbs in English, yet they often cause confusion for learners. Many common expressions pair these verbs with specific actions, such as “make the bed” or “do homework.” To master their usage, it’s essential to memorize these fixed phrases and understand when to use “do” versus “make.”
In this article, you’ll learn the most common instances where do and make are used in English.
Basic Expressions with Do
These are some of the most common fixed expressions with do:
- do homework
- do the dishes
- do housework
- do good
- do harm
- do your best
- do a favor
- do 50 mph
- do business
- do your duty
- do your hair
- do a deed
- do penance / time
- do right / wrong
- do enough
Fixed Expressions with Make
Now look at some of the most common fixed expressions with the verb make:
- make an offer
- make an exception
- make a mistake
- make peace /war
- make love
- make money /a profit
- make a phone call
- make an effort /attempt
- make (a) noise
- make a suggestion
- make a decision
- make an excuse
- make progress
- make arrangements
- make your bed
General Rules for Using the Verb Do
When discussing vague or unspecified actions, it’s helpful to use the word “do.” Essentially, this means that when referring to general concepts, you can incorporate terms like “something,” “anything,” or “nothing” to clarify your message.
Examples:
Are you going to do anything about it?
Let’s do something this afternoon.
I didn’t do anything wrong!
Use do for activities. This includes any task or daily chore.
Examples:
Hurry up and do the dishes.
Did you do your chores?
I didn’t have time to do my homework.
Explore the versatility of English by using verbs that end in -ing to describe different activities, like gardening, thinking, or painting. While these expressions are often informal, they can be easily rephrased for clarity. For instance, rather than saying, “I did some studying this afternoon,” you can simply say, “I studied this afternoon.” This not only streamlines your communication but also enhances your language skills.
Examples:
I did some thinking about your problem.
He did some reading this morning.
She’s going to do some swimming on vacation.
General Rules for Using the Verb Make
Typically, this English verb is employed to describe the act of building or creating something tangible. The outcome is something that can be both seen and experienced.
Examples:
I made a cup of tea for breakfast.
He made a rocking horse for his daughter.
Did you make that wonderful bread?
Make is always used when speaking about preparing food.
make a meal (breakfast / lunch / dinner)
Now you can take a small test and see how you do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common expressions that use the verb ‘do’?
Some common expressions include ‘do homework’, ‘do the dishes’, and ‘do housework’.
When should I use the verb ‘make’?
Use ‘make’ when you are describing the act of building or creating something tangible.
Can you provide examples of when to use ‘do’ for activities?
Examples include ‘do the dishes’, ‘do your chores’, and ‘do my homework’.
What is a general rule for using the verb ‘do’?
Use ‘do’ when discussing vague or unspecified actions, especially with terms like ‘something’ or ‘anything’.
How is the verb ‘make’ related to food preparation?
The verb ‘make’ is always used when speaking about preparing food, such as ‘make a meal’.
