DO vs. MAKE: LESSON

Study the examples in this lesson, then try the quizzes: QUIZ 1 and QUIZ 2

The verbs DO and MAKE often cause a lot of confusion.
DO		MAKE
I didn't do the research.  NOT: I didn't make the research. I did my homework earlier. NOT: I made my homework earlier.		I made an appointment. NOT: I did an appointment. The kids made cookies. NOT: The kids did cookies.
I did my homework earlier. NOT: I made my homework earlier.		The kids made cookies. NOT: The kids did cookies.
Here are some general guidelines:  Use -DO- for talking about a general activity. · Do you know what he is doing? · If she does that, she'll be sorry later. Use -DO- for performing tasks: working, cooking, shopping, cleaning, etc. · On the weekend I don't do any work. I don't do my homework, I don't do any cleaning, and I don't do any gardening either! I like to be lazy on weekends. · My husband never does the cleaning, but he often does the shopping.  Use -MAKE- for preparing, creating or producing things. · I made a cup of tea, then I made myself a snack.  · Some cars make too much noise!
Here are some common expressions with DO and MAKE:
-DO-		-MAKE-
do homework do an assignment do exercises (grammar) do laundry do business  do good do one's best do a favor do one's hair	do housework do research do exercise (physical) do the dishes do evil do drugs do a good job do well (succeed) do one's nails	make an appointment make a plan make arrangements make an excuse make a mistake  make an effort  make a promise  make breakfast/lunch make the bed  make a habit of  make trouble  make noise  make love/war/peace	make a reservation make a decision make an offer make an exception make an error make an attempt make an appearance make a phone call  make some changes make a profit a disturbance make fun of make the most of