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
The students do their homework every night.
We sometimes make mistakes.
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