Do you know when to use make or do in English”?
The difference between make and do can be confusing. What did the man mean to say, in the image above? Do you know why?
Here are some tips to help you use the correct word in English.
When to use make
1.) As a general rule, we use make when we create something, and have something new in our hands afterwards. Therefore, it can replace verbs like build, cook, establish, earn and produce.
2.) We also use make to indicate cause. Here are some examples of how we use make for causation:
The boss made us stay late. = The boss forced us to stay late.
This experience will make you stronger. = This experience will cause you to become stronger.
This gift will make her happy. = This gift will cause her to feel happy.
A kind word can make all the difference. = A kind word can cause things to be different.
Do you want to learn more about causative verbs?
3.) Sometimes we use make in ways that don’t follow the rules. In these cases, it’s good to just know the correct word to use. Some that you will encounter are:
make the bed = organize the covers
make sense = be logical
make a decision = decide something
make trouble = cause problems
make noise = create sound
make a mistake = create an error
make a deal = agree on a contract
make a friend = to begin to share a friendship
When to use do
1.) We use do to refer to actions and activities that may be good and productive, but that don’t result in us having something different in our hands. Chores, for example, are important and require a lot of activity. And yet, after all that effort, our home is clean, but our hands are still empty. So we do chores. Think of do when all you have in your hands is sweat.
2.) We use do to refer to actions when we don’t know what they are.
What do you do? = What is your occupation?
What are you doing this weekend? = What activities will you engage in?
Do you want to do something this afternoon? = Do you want to meet and share time with an activity?
3.) A final tip is that we use do to replace verbs when their meaning is obvious. When we ask a friend about their manicure, we don’t ask who cleaned, cut, filed and painted their nails. We simply ask who did them.
do the dishes = collect, wash and put away the dishes
do the laundry = collect, wash, dry, fold, iron and put away the laundry
do the windows = dust, clean and polish the windows
do a puzzle = lay out the pieces, organize them, and put them together
Notice that chores and jobs, and actions that leave you with nothing in your hands but sweat tend to use do.
Make and do can be confusing, but following these tips can help guide you.
PRACTICE
Think through the following sentences. Why to we use make and do in each case?
You do work to make money.
You do chores to make your home clean.
You make a deal to do the right thing.
You make a plan before you do the task.
Try the quiz!
