Take a B1+ English grammar quiz to see how well you know do and make. The quiz has clear explanations, common collocations, examples, and instant feedback.
Do or Make: Which Is It? – Exercises
Many students at the B1+ level still have trouble deciding between “do” and “make.” Both verbs are very common in English, but they are used in different ways. If you know the basic ideas behind them, you can avoid common mistakes and sound more natural.
The Main Difference
The basic rule is easy:
- Do is used for things like activities, tasks, and actions, especially when the result isn’t a physical thing.
- When we make, we create, produce, or build something, or the action has a clear result.
This rule isn’t perfect, but it’s a good place to start.
When to Use Do
We usually say do with:
- Jobs and work
- Daily activities
- General actions
A lot of the time, the exact activity doesn’t matter or is already clear.
Examples
- I have a lot of work to do today.
- She does the cleaning every Saturday.
- Did you do your homework?
Common phrases that use do
- do homework
- do housework
- do business
- do exercise
- do a job
When to Use Make
We usually use make when the action makes something new or has a clear result.
Examples
- She made a cake for the party.
- They are making plans for the weekend.
- This news made me happy.
Common expressions with make
- make a decision
- make a mistake
- make friends
- make money
- make progress
Set Phrases
There are a lot of set ways to use do and make together. This means that you can’t change the verb, even if the general rule seems to say otherwise.
Compare:
- do the dishes
- make the bed
Some expressions don’t have a clear meaning. The best way to learn them is to use them and see them.
Do and Make in English for Everyday Use
There are a lot of common phrases in everyday life:
- Do me a favor, please.
- Make an effort to arrive on time.
- She did her best in the exam.
- He made an excuse and left early.
You will be able to speak more fluently if you learn these phrases as whole units.
Common Mistakes
- Saying make homework instead of do homework
- Saying do a mistake instead of make a mistake
Knowing about these common mistakes will help you stay away from them.
