English has two very similar verbs: do and make. They often confuse learners because both involve actions and sometimes seem interchangeable. However, do is generally about performing an activity or task, while make is about creating or producing something. Let's dive into the details.
Usage of Do
Do is used for:
- General activities or tasks
- Unspecified work or jobs
- Repeated routines
- Referring to something without naming it (e.g., "do it")
Examples:
- I do my homework every evening.
- She does the cleaning on weekends.
- We need to do something about this problem.
- Can you do the dishes tonight?
Usage of Make
Make is used for:
- Creating or producing something
- Causing something to exist or happen
- Constructing or building
- Preparing food or drinks
Examples:
- He made a cake for her birthday.
- They make beautiful furniture.
- I made a mistake on the test.
- She made tea for us.
Fill in the blank: I ___ a mistake on the test.
made
'Made a mistake' is a fixed phrase meaning to cause an error.
Fill in the blank: He ___ a cake for her birthday.
made
'Made' is correct because a cake is something created.
Common Collocations
Some phrases must use one verb or the other. Here are common collocations:
| Do (task/activity) | Make (create/cause) |
|---|---|
| do homework | make a cake |
| do the laundry | make a decision |
| do the dishes | make a phone call |
| do a favor | make an appointment |
| do business | make noise |
Summary
- Use do for general tasks, jobs, or when the activity is unspecified.
- Use make when creating, producing, or causing something.
- Some phrases are fixed, so it’s best to memorize them.
With practice, you’ll develop a natural feel for when to use do and make.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
