DO vs. MAKE | The Difference Between Do and Make in English

Have you ever found yourself confused about when to use “do” and when to use “make” in English? These two verbs are among the most commonly used in the language, but they can be tricky to use correctly. While they both refer to performing an action, the contexts in which they are used can be quite different. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “do” and “make” and give you some tips to help you use them correctly in your everyday conversations.

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Understanding the Basics of Do and Make

When learning English, it’s important to understand the difference between the verbs do and make. While they may seem interchangeable at times, they actually have distinct meanings and uses.

Do

The verb “do” is often used to express daily activities or jobs.

I need to do the laundry.
I have to do my homework.
I do my exercises every day.

Make

“Make” is used to describe creating or producing something.

I’m going to make dinner.
I made a cake.
I want to make new friends.

Example of Do and Make

Example of Do

Collocations	Example Sentences
Do the dishes	Can you do the dishes tonight?
Do exercise	I need to do some exercise.
Do the laundry	I have to do the laundry.
Do the ironing	She is doing the ironing.
Do the shopping	I do the shopping on Saturdays.
Do your work	You must do your work.
Do homework	I need to do my homework.
Do housework	She does housework.
Do business	He is doing business.
Do your hair	I need to do my hair.
Do your nails	She will do her nails.
Do one’s best	I always do my best.
Do a favor	Please do me a favor.
Do harm	He didn’t want to do harm.
Do time	He will do time in prison.

Example of Make

These are common expressions with “make”:

Collocations	Example Sentences
Make a decision	We must make a decision.
Make a plan	Let’s make a plan.
Make a mistake	Everyone makes mistakes.
Make money	He makes money online.
Make a promise	I made a promise.
Make friends	It’s easy to make friends.
Make an effort	I will make an effort.
Make a difference	You can make a difference.
Make a call	I need to make a phone call.
Make a suggestion	Can I make a suggestion?
Make progress	She is making progress.
Make a profit	The company made a profit.

Common Uses of Do

Daily Conversations

I need to do laundry.
Did you do your homework?
What do you do in your free time?

Professional Context

I need to do research.
Can you do me a favor?
What should we do?

Common Uses of Make

Daily Conversations

Make breakfast / dinner
Make a cake
Make a drawing

Professional Context

Make a product
Make a deal
Make progress

Key Differences Between Do and Make

General Differences

Do → general actions, routines
Make → create or produce something

Collocations

do homework, do laundry
make a decision, make a plan

Other Differences

Do = auxiliary verb (Do you like…?)
Make = create something

Learn more: Collocations with Make