One of the most common questions that non-native speakers of English ask is: “Is it make or do?”
It’s a good question… and here are a few ways to help you learn which is right
Make has, in general, a more creative connotation. Do is used more often with words or expressions related to jobs and obligations – things that are necessary, but that aren’t particularly pleasant or enjoyable.
When we use do, it often implies (implica) things that are routine, repetitive, monotonous, boring, tiring, or difficult. Things we do may require (exigir) discipline, concentration, and perseverance. For things we make, we need to use imagination, talent, creativity. When we use the word make, we might be referring to something that we can finish or complete, leaving us with a product, a creation, a piece of art, an accomplishment.(realización) What we do seems to be more continual or never-ending. We usually have to do things over and over again because they are necessary or required. An obvious exception to this general “rule” is that we say to make the bed. Most people would agree that making the bed is not particularly creative and that it is a necessary part of our daily routine.
You can usually remember which verb is right if you make a list of similar words that use either one or the other.
We use the verb DO with :
work gardening farm work rescue work
tasks homework charity work police work
jobs schoolwork field work dirty work
housework book work volunteer work
the ironing the vacuuming the washing up
the dishes the dusting the bathroom
the cleaning the baking the mopping
the sweeping the sewing the chores projects business inventories
marketing tasks promotions planning
campaigns presentations market studies statistics
Now compare the do expressions (above) with the following make expressions (below). Can you see the difference between the types of expressions they use?
Food preparation
a salad a dessert cookies bread
breakfast tea a sandwich scones pies
lunch coffee spaghetti bacon and eggs dinner
a cake toast a drink a cocktail soup biscuits
Passion / conflict / cause / performance
trouble plans a scandal a mistake
an impression a reservation a phone call love
a comment a decision an exception a noise
Handwork
clothes a picture (draw, paint) pottery (cerámica)
a sweater a chair decorations a movie
a jacket a sculpture a poster a CD
Expressions that mean “get” or “obtain”
money contacts advances friends
peace enemies millions progress
Complete the sentences in the exercise with the correct form of either make or do. Later, check your answers in the key to see if you’ve made the grade.
1. The teacher told us to ...................... pages 50 and 51 in the workbook.
2. If you................. the bedrooms, I’ll....................the kitchen.
3. Something smells good! Oh, you’re.....................popcorn.
4. Your homework looks good, but you still have to................your maths.
5. Clean up your workspace. The boss is going to...............an inspection.
6. How many mistakes did you...................on the exam?
7. Have you..................any plans for the summer?
8. Spike always tries to....................the right thing.
9. It would be better not to................any comments about the war.
Answer key1. do 2. do / do 3. making 4. do 5. make 6. make 7. made 8. do 9. make
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