“Do” and “Make” — Here’s the Difference

Sharing is caring!

“Do” and “make” are two similar verbs in English, but they can cause so much confusion among students – sometimes, among teachers too. 

When do we use “do”? How about “make”? Can we use them interchangeably?

These are but some of the most pressing questions asked about these words.

As we explore this subject, we will try to eliminate these questions from your mind so that you will enjoy the English language more.

Let’s now get right into it.

 

What is the difference between “do” and “make”?

What we need to remember is that “do” refers to activities while “make” refers to results. Knowing more about what “do” and “make” collocate with can make things easier. For example, we should say “do business” and not “make business,” but we need to say “make a profit” and not “do a profit.”

 

“Do” and “Make” are the same but different

Many English expressions can be puzzling ad baffling, especially when they are almost used the same way.

Nouns like “advice” and “tips” or even verbs like “do” and “make” show this very issue.

Although “do” and “make” are similar verbs, you cannot use them interchangeably.

There are words that go well together with “do,” and there are words that go with “make” based on English language conventions.

To make our story short, there are fixed expressions in English for each of these verbs, and you will have to learn them all.

We use “do” for actions, obligations, and repetitive tasks. Meanwhile, we use “make” for creating or producing something and for actions we choose to do.

The distinction can be made clearer by bearing this in mind: while “do” generally refers to the action itself, “make” refers to the result.

There are no hard and set rules on this. Any given guideline would be of help in any way it is stated. Just select the easiest to understand.

Another good tip to have in mind when debunking common language myths is to know the difference between grammar and syntax in detail.

Doing so should help in clearing up the very root of any language-related issue that you could ever have in mind.

So, when do we use “do” vs. “make” ins sentence construction?

 

Using “do” instead of “make”

“Do” is used when talking about jobs, activities, and tasks, including chores. Take note, though, that they do not produce any physical objects.

Here are a few examples of using “do” in different verb forms:

Examples:

 
“Do” is used to refer to non-specific activities in general. Words such as nothing, anything, something, thing, everything, etc… are normally used.

Examples:

 
Examples:

 

Note that “work a job” is not the same as “do a job” based on the grammatical conventions of English.

 

Using “make” instead of “do”

Since we’ve tackled how to use “do,” let’s now focus on how to use “make” in more detail to make things crystal clear.

For starters, we use “make” when talking about producing, constructing, or creating something new.

It is also used to indicate the origin of something or the materials that are used to make or produce it.

Examples:

 

“Make” is also commonly used for describing events or circumstances that produce actions or reactions.

Examples:

 

“Make” is a verb typically placed before nouns in statements that talk about plans and decisions.           

Examples:

 

“Make” is also often used with some nouns used to talk about speaking and creating certain sounds.

 

Examples:

 

Examples:

 

“Make” can also be used to mean “to force or urge someone to do something.”

 

Examples:

 

Collocations with “do” and “make”

As mentioned before, there are fixed words and expressions that go together in a language system. These are called collocations.

Collocations are important, meaningful elements because they show that a natural order within a language exists.

Crucial as they are, collocations are not that easy to master. It takes time as well as vocabulary build-up to use them effortlessly.

To make things less complicated, we have listed the most common expressions that go with “do” and “make” together with some example sentences.

 

Collocations with “do”

Here’s a list of collocations with the verb “do”:

 

Do one’s best/worst

Come and do your worst; I’m ready for you anytime.

 

Do (some/a lot) of work 

Unfortunately though, he’s doing a lot of work lately.

 

Do well 

Kendra is doing well in her new job.

 

Do time = to be imprisoned

It’s just fair for him to be doing time in Rikers Island.

 

Do the shopping

Mitch can do the shopping while everyone is away.

 

Do research 

Joe is doing some research for his thesis this weekend.

 

Do the paperwork

I believe no one loves to do the paperwork.

 

Do a painting

 I found him in the churchyard doing a painting.

 

Do your nails

 

 Now that you’re suspended, you have more time to do your nails.

 

Do (something) badly

If ever you do badly in your exams, you have to do it again.

 

More collocations with “do”

To expand our mental word bank even further, here’s a list of some more expressions that collocate with “do.”

 

• do business

• do a task                              

• do a test                                          

• do some washing (up)                                                               

• do an activity                                        

• do the cleaning

• do the laundry

• do damage                                         

• do a drawing                

• do one’s duty                     

• do exercise                

• do some cooking                

• do a job

• do some ironing

• do a crossword puzzle

• do some homework

• do some gardening

• do an examination

• do harm

• do one’s best

• do a favor

• do a report

• do the right thing

 

Collocations with “make”

 

Make a discovery

The student scientists have made a new discovery on protons.

               

Make a call

Did you make a call this morning?

    

Make a statement

The prime minister has made a public statement on environmental issues.

 

Make a plan

We should make a plan at least a month before our Eurotrip.

 

Make a face

Did you just make a face at me, Bailey?

 

Make a choice

Making a choice between saving two people’s lives is a curse.

 

Make a list

I’ve already made a list of all the items you should buy later.

 

Make a point

The journalist has made a point.

 

Make a fool of one’s self

You’ll make a fool of yourself trying to chase the wrong person.

 

Make a change

You can make a change by supporting local products.

 

To expand our mental word bank even further, here’s a list of some more expressions that collocate with “make.”

            

• make a loss                    

• make a mess

• make a fortune                     

• make a comment            

• make a living        

• make a profit

• Make a fuss                          

• make a confession         

• make a promise             

• make a reservation                   

• make a connection        

• make a  suggestion        

• make a toast       

• make a line                           

• make a cup of coffee      

• make a wish                  

• make someone smile

• make a bet                           

• make a decision             

• make one famous                  

• make friends                       

• make a scene                  

• make something possible                

• make fun of someone

• make a complaint               

• make a sound                 

• make progress                

• make your mind up

 

Words that go with both “do” and “make”

If there are certain differences in the usage of “do” and “make,” there are also similarities that add insult to injury.

 

“Do exercises” vs. “make exercises”

Both “do” and “make” go with the word “exercise,” which can be confusing at times.

Exercise” can either refer to the physical activity of doing warm-ups as well as short quizzes that students answer in class.

The phrase “to do exercises” suggests executing a physical performance, such as in the next example sentence.

Example:

 

Meanwhile, “to make exercises” means to create quizzes that students or trainees can answer as a form of knowledge assessment.

Example:

 

“Do time” vs “make time”

Both “do” and “make” also go with “time.” However, these expressions entail two completely different meanings.

“To do time” means to be put behind bars or imprisoned. We use this expression as a form of euphemism for a socially sensitive issue.

Example:

 

Meanwhile, “to make time” literally means to make oneself available for a certain person or event.

 

Example:

 

Frequently Asked Questions on “Difference between ‘Do’ and ‘Make’”

 

Should it be “do” or “make” one’s bed?

The conventionally-correct expression is “to make one’s bed.” This could either mean “to put on the covers on a bare mattress” or “to arrange the beddings and put them in order.” For example, we can say: Rise up and make your bed now!

 

Do you say “do business” or “make business”?

“Do business” is the correct expression and not “make business.” However, we should also say “make a profit” and not “do profit.” Hence, we should say: Can you do business with us? We should make a good profit by the end of the year.

 

Is the phrase “make do” correct?

“Make do” is a grammatically correct idiomatic expression in English. It means “to be content or satisfied with what is available” or “to endure scarcity.” For example, we can say: We need additional supplies, or else, we will have to make do with what we got.

 

Conclusion

Using “make” and “do” properly is tricky because of the fact that these two verbs are all too similar and common at the same time.

They can lure us to believe that they can be used one instead of the other and still be correct.

But, if we know the guidelines and become familiar with the collocations that go with each verb, then everything else will follow.