Do vs Make

DO

 The verb "do" usually refers to activities we perform without leaving any tangible product.

Examples:

do work/ homework /housework

do chores/the shopping/ the laundry/the dishes/some cleaning

do exercise/ yoga/ karate/ pilates /tai chi

do a favor

do research

do nothing/something/anything/everything

do business with someone

do (or take) a course

do (or take) an exam

do your hair/your nails

do a job

do time (in prison)

do your best/your worst/good/harm

do some damage



MAKE

The verb "make" is used to name an activity in which we produce, fabricate, design, or create something. It can be something abstract (as in "make a friend").

Examples:

make a meal/dinner/lunch/breakfast/coffee/a pizza

make a house/a table /a bed (different from "make THE bed")

make money /a profit

make plans /make a list

make friends

make noise / a sound / a speech

make progress

make a deal

make a party

make time (find time in your schedule)

make a fire

make an excuse


In some cases, it can mean "cause something to happen."

Examples:

make someone laugh/believe

make someone happy

make something easier

make a change

make a difference

make history

make a discovery

make an effort

make an observation /a comment / a remark


Some less obvious uses are:

make (or take) a decision / make. a choice /make up your mind

make a mistake

make a big deal out of something 

make a scandal /a big deal / a scene

make it (succeed)

make an exception

make an attempt

make a habit

make a comment

make a complaint

make a confession

make an impression

make a joke

make a payment

make a call

make an offer / a suggestion

make a point

make a prediction / a promise /plans /an appointment

make a visit

make a face/faces


Additional examples (and a general explanation):

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/make-or-do.html

Organized in categories (with exercises)

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/a2/do-vs-make-difference/


Exercises:

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/make-or-do-exercise-1.html


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