Illustration showing various activities and objects demonstrating the correct use of "do" and "make" in English grammar.

 

 

Clarifying the Use of "Do" and "Make": Examples and Meanings

 

Introduction to "Do" and "Make"

Learning the difference between "do" and "make" can be challenging for English learners, but it's essential for clear and accurate communication. These two verbs are often confused because they can both refer to activities and tasks. However, they are used in different contexts and have specific collocations.

By the end of this lesson, you will understand when to use "do" and when to use "make," along with common expressions and phrases for each. This knowledge will help you avoid common mistakes and improve your overall English proficiency.

Let's begin by exploring some useful vocabulary and phrases related to "do" and "make." Understanding these terms will provide a solid foundation for mastering the lesson.

 

Useful Vocabulary for "Do" and "Make"

  • Housework: Routine tasks such as cleaning and cooking.
    • Example: "I need to do the housework this weekend."
  • Tasks: Specific pieces of work or duties.
    • Example: "I have several tasks to complete before the deadline."
  • Create: To bring something into existence.
    • Example: "She likes to create new recipes."
  • Perform: To carry out an action or task.
    • Example: "He performs his job duties efficiently."

Housework

  1. Make the bed

    • Meaning: Arrange the bed covers neatly.
    • Example: "I make the bed every morning after waking up."
    • Example: "She taught her children to make their beds."
    • Example: "Making the bed is part of my daily routine."
  2. Do the housework

    • Meaning: Perform general cleaning and tidying tasks.
    • Example: "We share the housework equally."
    • Example: "I do the housework on Saturdays."
    • Example: "Housework includes vacuuming, dusting, and mopping."
  3. Do laundry

    • Meaning: Wash clothes and other fabrics.
    • Example: "I need to do laundry this evening."
    • Example: "She does laundry twice a week."
    • Example: "Doing laundry involves washing, drying, and folding clothes."
  4. Do your chores

    • Meaning: Complete assigned household tasks.
    • Example: "He always does his chores before playing."
    • Example: "Chores include taking out the trash and washing dishes."
    • Example: "Children should do their chores to learn responsibility."
  5. Do the washing up (UK)

    • Meaning: Wash the dishes.
    • Example: "I'll do the washing up after dinner."
    • Example: "He hates doing the washing up."
    • Example: "We take turns doing the washing up."
  6. Do the shopping

    • Meaning: Buy groceries and other necessities.
    • Example: "I do the shopping every Sunday."
    • Example: "She does the shopping for her family."
    • Example: "Doing the shopping involves making a list and visiting the store."
  7. Do the cleaning

    • Meaning: Clean the house or a specific area.
    • Example: "I do the cleaning every weekend."
    • Example: "We hired someone to do the cleaning."
    • Example: "Doing the cleaning is necessary to keep the house tidy."
  8. Do the cooking

    • Meaning: Prepare meals.
    • Example: "He does the cooking on weekdays."
    • Example: "She loves to do the cooking for family gatherings."
    • Example: "Doing the cooking includes planning meals and using recipes."
  9. Make room

    • Meaning: Create space for something.
    • Example: "We need to make room for the new furniture."
    • Example: "She made room in her schedule for a meeting."
    • Example: "Making room often involves rearranging items."

Communications

  1. Make a noise

    • Meaning: Produce a sound.
    • Example: "The children are making a lot of noise."
    • Example: "Try not to make too much noise."
    • Example: "Making noise is unavoidable in a busy office."
  2. Make a comment

    • Meaning: Express an opinion or remark.
    • Example: "She made a comment about the presentation."
    • Example: "I didn't mean to make a negative comment."
    • Example: "Making comments is part of giving feedback."
  3. Make a joke

    • Meaning: Tell something humorous.
    • Example: "He made a joke that made everyone laugh."
    • Example: "She often makes jokes to lighten the mood."
    • Example: "Making jokes can help break the ice."
  4. Do the dishes

    • Meaning: Wash the dirty dishes.
    • Example: "I will do the dishes after dinner."
    • Example: "He does the dishes every night."
    • Example: "Doing the dishes is a daily chore."
  5. Make a point

    • Meaning: Express an idea or opinion clearly.
    • Example: "She made a point about the importance of teamwork."
    • Example: "He always makes his points concisely."
    • Example: "Making a point helps in discussions and debates."
  6. Make arrangements

    • Meaning: Plan or organise something.
    • Example: "I need to make arrangements for the meeting."
    • Example: "She made all the arrangements for the trip."
    • Example: "Making arrangements involves coordinating details."
  7. Do the ironing

    • Meaning: Iron clothes to remove wrinkles.
    • Example: "I do the ironing on Sundays."
    • Example: "She finds doing the ironing relaxing."
    • Example: "Doing the ironing takes about an hour."

Work/Study

  1. Make a speech

    • Meaning: Deliver a formal address to an audience.
    • Example: "He made a speech at the conference."
    • Example: "She is preparing to make a speech."
    • Example: "Making a speech requires practice and confidence."
  2. Make a suggestion

    • Meaning: Propose an idea or plan.
    • Example: "Can I make a suggestion for the project?"
    • Example: "She made a suggestion to improve efficiency."
    • Example: "Making suggestions is encouraged in meetings."
  3. Do homework

    • Meaning: Complete school assignments at home.
    • Example: "She always does her homework after school."
    • Example: "Doing homework is important for learning."
    • Example: "He does his homework in the evening."
  4. Make a complaint

    • Meaning: Express dissatisfaction.
    • Example: "I need to make a complaint about the service."
    • Example: "She made a complaint to the manager."
    • Example: "Making complaints should be done politely."
  5. Do an assignment

    • Meaning: Complete a specific task or project.
    • Example: "We need to do the assignment by next week."
    • Example: "He does his assignments on time."
    • Example: "Doing assignments helps in learning."
  6. Make a confession

    • Meaning: Admit to something.
    • Example: "He made a confession about his mistake."
    • Example: "She made a confession during the meeting."
    • Example: "Making confessions can be difficult but necessary."
  7. Do a report

    • Meaning: Write a detailed account of something.
    • Example: "I need to do a report on the sales figures."
    • Example: "She did a report on the market trends."
    • Example: "Doing reports is part of my job."
  8. Make a prediction

    • Meaning: Forecast what will happen in the future.
    • Example: "He made a prediction about the market."
    • Example: "She made a prediction that the project would succeed."
    • Example: "Making predictions involves analysing data."
  9. Do a test (UK)

    • Meaning: Take an exam.
    • Example: "I have to do a test tomorrow."
    • Example: "She is preparing to do a test."
    • Example: "Doing tests is part of the learning process."
  10. Make an excuse

    • Meaning: Provide a reason to explain something.
    • Example: "He made an excuse for being late."
    • Example: "She always makes excuses for her behaviour."
    • Example: "Making excuses can be seen as avoiding responsibility."
  11. Do a project

    • Meaning: Complete a planned piece of work.
    • Example: "We need to do a project on environmental issues."
    • Example: "He is doing a project for his class."
    • Example: "Doing projects helps in applying knowledge."
  12. Do a course (UK)

    • Meaning: Take a series of lessons.
    • Example: "She decided to do a course in French."
    • Example: "He is doing a course on computer programming."
    • Example: "Doing courses can enhance your skills."
  13. Make a promise

    • Meaning: Commit to doing something.
    • Example: "He made a promise to help her."
    • Example: "She made a promise to be on time."
    • Example: "Making promises builds trust."
  14. Make a fuss

    • Meaning: Complain or become excited about something unimportant.
    • Example: "Don't make a fuss over a small mistake."
    • Example: "She made a fuss about the changes."
    • Example: "Making a fuss can be disruptive."
  15. Do a deal

    • Meaning: Reach an agreement.
    • Example: "We need to do a deal with the supplier."
    • Example: "He did a deal to buy the car."
    • Example: "Doing deals involves negotiation."
  16. Make an observation

    • Meaning: Comment on something you have noticed.
    • Example: "She made an observation about the team's performance."
    • Example: "He made an observation that led to changes."
    • Example: "Making observations can help improve processes."
  17. Do some reading

    • Meaning: Read material for information or pleasure.
    • Example: "I need to do some reading for my class."
    • Example: "She does some reading before bed."
    • Example: "Doing some reading enhances knowledge."
  18. Make a mistake

    • Meaning: Do something incorrectly.
    • Example: "Everyone makes mistakes sometimes."
    • Example: "He made a mistake in his calculations."
    • Example: "Making mistakes is part of learning."
  19. Do some writing

    • Meaning: Write for a specific purpose.
    • Example: "I need to do some writing for my report."
    • Example: "She does some writing every day."
    • Example: "Doing some writing improves your skills."
  20. Make a call

    • Meaning: Telephone someone.
    • Example: "I need to make a call to my client."
    • Example: "She made a call to confirm the appointment."
    • Example: "Making calls is part of customer service."
  21. Do some studying

    • Meaning: Spend time learning.
    • Example: "He needs to do some studying for his exams."
    • Example: "She does some studying every afternoon."
    • Example: "Doing some studying helps in retaining information."
  22. Make a reservation

    • Meaning: Book in advance.
    • Example: "I need to make a reservation for dinner."
    • Example: "She made a reservation at the hotel."
    • Example: "Making reservations ensures you have a spot."
  23. Do the math

    • Meaning: Perform calculations.
    • Example: "Can you do the math for this budget?"
    • Example: "He did the math and realised the costs were too high."
    • Example: "Doing the math helps in making informed decisions."
  24. Make a rude gesture

    • Meaning: Show a disrespectful sign.
    • Example: "He made a rude gesture in traffic."
    • Example: "She was upset and made a rude gesture."
    • Example: "Making rude gestures is inappropriate."
  25. Do research

    • Meaning: Investigate systematically.
    • Example: "We need to do research before launching the product."
    • Example: "She did research on market trends."
    • Example: "Doing research is crucial for making decisions."
  26. Make a statement

    • Meaning: Express something clearly.
    • Example: "He made a statement about the company's policy."
    • Example: "She made a bold statement at the meeting."
    • Example: "Making statements requires clarity and confidence."

 


Summary and Takeaways

 

Exercises to Do Alone

To reinforce what you've learned, practise using "do" and "make" in different sentences. Write out scenarios where you can apply these phrases to familiarise yourself with their correct usage.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, we explored the differences between "do" and "make" with various examples and meanings. These verbs are essential in both everyday and professional English, and understanding their correct usage will help you communicate more effectively.

Key Phrases Learned

  1. Make the bed
  2. Do the housework
  3. Make a comment
  4. Do homework
  5. Make a promise
  6. Do research
  7. Make a reservation
  8. Do the math
  9. Make a speech
  10. Do some writing

Tips for Remembering the ESL Lesson

  • Practise the phrases regularly in real-life situations.
  • Write down examples and review them often.
  • Use visual aids, such as flashcards, to reinforce your memory.
  • Pair each phrase with a specific scenario to make it more memorable.

Sharing the Lesson

We encourage you to share this lesson with friends and colleagues who are also learning English. Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/learningenglishfree.co.uk for more lessons and tips. By joining our community, you can connect with others and practise your new skills.

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