Do is the general word for actions and work (do homework, do the washing-up); make means produce or create (make a cake, make a mistake, make a noise).
A do: actions in general
Do is a general word for actions. We use it when we do not name the action, and for many kinds of work.
- What are you doing this evening?
- "Shall I open the window?" "No, it's all right. I'll do it."
- My brother was no help at all. He lay on the sofa and did nothing.
- "What do you do?" "I'm a nurse." (what is your job?)
- I did a lot of work yesterday.
B make: produce, create
Make means produce or create something that was not there before.
- She's making tea.
- Butter is made from milk.
- They make cars in that factory.
- I made a cake for her birthday.
C Fixed expressions
| do | make |
|---|---|
| do homework, do the housework | make a mistake |
| do the washing-up, do the shopping, do the ironing | make a noise |
| do an exam, do a course | make a phone call |
| do somebody a favour | make an appointment |
| do exercise, do your best | make a list, make a decision |
| do (some) work | make friends, make the bed |
- I hate doing housework, especially ironing.
- Why do you always make the same mistake?
- "Can you do me a favour?" "Depends what it is."
- My boiler needs servicing, but I haven't made a booking.
- Let's make a list of everything we have to do today.
Exercises
57.1 Put in make, making, made or do, doing, did, done.
"Shall I open the window?" "No, it's all right. I'll do it."
"Shall I open the window?" "No, it's all right. I'll do it."
What did you on Sunday? Anything nice?
What did you do on Sunday? Anything nice?
Do you know how to bread?
Do you know how to make bread?
Paper is from wood.
Paper is made from wood.
My brother was no help at all. He lay on the sofa and nothing.
My brother was no help at all. He lay on the sofa and did nothing.
"What do you ?" "I'm a doctor."
"What do you do?" "I'm a doctor."
I asked you to tidy your room. Have you it?
I asked you to tidy your room. Have you done it?
"What do they in that factory?" "Shoes."
"What do they make in that factory?" "Shoes."
I'm a pot of tea. Do you want a cup?
I'm making a pot of tea. Do you want a cup?
Why are you cross with me? I didn't anything wrong.
Why are you cross with me? I didn't do anything wrong.
"What are you tomorrow afternoon?" "I'm working."
"What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?" "I'm working."
57.2 What are these people doing? Use make or do.
A man is mixing flour and eggs in a bowl, with a cake tin ready.
He ...
He's making a cake.
He's making a cake.
Two children are sitting at a table with exercise books.
They ...
They're doing their homework.
A man is standing at the sink, washing plates.
He ...
He's doing the washing-up.
A woman is pulling the duvet straight on a bed.
She ...
She's making the bed.
A boy is banging on a drum very loudly.
He ...
He's making a noise.
A woman is running on a treadmill in the gym.
She ...
She's doing exercise.
57.3 Put in make or do in the right form.
I hate doing housework, especially ironing.
I hate doing housework, especially ironing.
Why does he keep the same spelling error?
Why does he keep making the same spelling error?
"Can you me a favour?" "Depends what it is."
"Can you do me a favour?" "Depends what it is."
"Have you your homework?" "Not yet."
"Have you done your homework?" "Not yet."
My boiler needs servicing, but I haven't a booking.
My boiler needs servicing, but I haven't made a booking.
I'm an evening class in pottery this term. I love it.
I'm doing an evening class in pottery this term. I love it.
I haven't a test since I left school.
I haven't done a test since I left school.
Once you've answered the first question, you can the second one.
Once you've answered the first question, you can do the second one.
Something's wrong with the washing machine. It's a horrible grinding noise.
Something's wrong with the washing machine. It's making a horrible grinding noise.
Buying that car was a disaster. It's the worst decision I've ever .
Buying that car was a disaster. It's the worst decision I've ever made.
Let's a plan for everything we need to before the move.
Let's make a plan for everything we need to do before the move.