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CEFR-aligned courses from real British teachers
New A1–C2 courses added every month
Join Ace English Club
CEFR-aligned courses from real British teachers
New A1–C2 courses added every month

Do vs Make in British English

Do generally refers to tasks and make generally refers to creation.

There are some exceptions though, so make sure to learn collocations so you know these exceptions.

In this lesson, you’ll understand the difference and practise using both.

When to use do and make?

Do

  • Used for tasks, chores – do the washing up, do the shopping
  • Used for activities, exercises – do yoga, do an exam
  • Used for general actions and duties – do business, do well

Make

  • used for creating, produce something – make a decision, make tea
  • used for sounds and speech – make a sound, make a comment
  • used for arrangements – make a booking, make plans

There are some exceptions (make the bed, make friends etc.), learning collocations will help with this.

  • Do is for process
  • Make is for result/create

Examples

1. The students do their homework every night.
2. We sometimes make mistakes.
3. I love to do gardening in the spring.

Practise

Complete the sentences with do or make.

Common mistakes learners make

  • Mixing up the uses for do and make
  • Translating directly from native language
  • Forgetting some exceptions

Common mistakes learners make

  • Mixing up the uses for do and make
  • Translating directly from native language
  • Forgetting some exceptions
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