Make or do? A clear guide to English collocations
Vocalyra teaching team · Last updated:
Many languages have one verb where English has two. A general rule helps, but the most useful step is learning the fixed expressions that native speakers always say the same way.
The general idea
Make usually means creating or producing something that did not exist before: make a cake, make a plan, make noise. Do usually refers to activities, tasks and work, often without a new object at the end: do the dishes, do your homework, do exercise. Do is also used with general words like something, anything, nothing and everything.
| Make | Do |
|---|---|
| make a mistake | do homework |
| make a decision | do the shopping |
| make a phone call | do business |
| make money | do a favour |
| make an effort | do your best |
| make progress | do research |
| make friends | do the laundry |
| make an appointment | do damage |
Mistakes learners often make
- I did a mistake. Correct: I made a mistake.
- Can you make me a favour? Correct: Can you do me a favour?
- We need to do a decision. Correct: We need to make a decision.
- I make sport every day. Correct: I do sport or I exercise every day.
Speakers of French (faire), Spanish (hacer) and Portuguese (fazer) are used to one verb for both meanings, so these errors are very common. Learn each collocation as one chunk instead of translating the verb.
Expressions where both exist with different meanings
Make up means to invent a story or to reconcile after a fight, while do up means to fasten a coat or renovate a house. Make do means to manage with what you have. These are phrasal verbs, so their meaning cannot be guessed from the general rule.
How to learn them
Keep two short lists, one for make and one for do, and add only expressions you actually need for work or daily life. Review them by saying a full sentence: I made an appointment for Monday. Ten well-practised collocations are more useful than fifty you recognise but cannot say.
Quick self-check
Complete: Could you ___ me a favour?
Show answer
Do.
Complete: I need to ___ a phone call.
Show answer
Make.
Correct: She did a lot of progress this year.
Show answer
She made a lot of progress this year.
Complete: Don't worry, just ___ your best.
Show answer
Do.