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Tagged with: Frequently Confused Words, Advanced Vocabulary
Do can be an auxiliary or a main verb.
Examples:
- Auxiliary verb - Do you live here?
- Main verb - What are you doing now?
As a main verb do means "general activity."
Examples:
- What are you doing this weekend?
- We need to do something about this problem.
- Never do it again!
- What can I do to help you?
Do is also used for talking about work.
Examples:
- What do you do (= What is your job?)
- I have to do my homework.
- He didn't do any work yesterday.
Make can only be a main verb. The meaning is "creating or constructing something."
Examples:
- These toys were made in China.
- I made a card for my Grandma.
- Who made this costume for you?
Compare:
- Sam, you need to make your bed before breakfast. Do it now!
Remember the following expressions with make and do. Note that make is used more often than do.
| Make | Do |
| make a connection | do right / wrong |
| make a difference | do 50 mph |
| make a loss /profit | do away with something |
| make a point | do enough |
| make a purchace | do farm (dental) work |
| make a speech | do the dishes |
| make a suggestion | do one's best |
| make advances | do one's duty |
| make a proposal | do one's /somebody hair |
| make a fortune | do someone good |
| make a living | do housework |
| make an alternation | |
| make an observation | |
| make an arrangement | |
| make plans | |
| make room | |
| make sense | |
| make up one's mind | |
| make something (im)possible | |
| make progress | |
| make reservations | |
| make something clear |
