Do vs Make – What’s the difference between do and make?

Do and make are two important verbs in English. They are often confused because they are so similar.

This lesson shows you the difference between do and make and how to use them correctly in English. You can find the exercises at the bottom of the page.

Let’s get started!

When do you use do?

You can use the verb “do” in the following situations.

General Activities

Use “do” for general activities when you don’t use a specific verb:

• I want to do something.
• What are you doing?
• What did you do yesterday?
• There is a lot to do in Toronto.

Work

Use “do” to talk about work:

• What do you do? (What is your job?)
• Who does the laundry in your house?
• I don’t want to do any work today.
• I hate doing the cleaning.
• Have you done your homework?

“Do” can replace another more exact verb (but only when the meaning is clear from the situation). This is informal, but common in spoken English.

• Do the exam (write/take the exam)
• Do the dishes (wash the dishes)
• Do the laundry (wash the laundry)

When do you use make?

The verb make can be used in these situations.

Construction/Creating

“Make” often expresses the idea of construction or creation:

• I’ll make a cake for Anthony’s birthday.
• This car was made in France.
• Did you make this table yourself?

So, what’s the difference?

Let’s compare:

• Do the shopping. (We don’t really create anything. We just “do” an activity.)
• Make a cake. (We actually create something from nothing.)

In the next example, notice “make” is for creation (the cake) and “do” is for the general activity, even though we’re really talking about the same thing:

• I must make Anthony’s cake. I’ll do it now.

Here are some examples of phrases with “do” and “make”:

Expressions with Do

Expressions with Make

do good do harm do well do badly do a favour do business do exercise do the dishes do the laundry do homework do the Project do the assignment do damage do anything do something do nothing do your best do research do chores do the cleaning do your hair do your nails

make an attempt make a bed make a change/changes make a complaint make a decision make a demand make an effort make an exception make an excuse make a loss make love make a mistake make money make a noise/sound make an offer make peace make a phone call make a profit make a suggestion make war make an appointment (the action of creating the appointment) make up make food (make breakfast, dinner, etc.) make a mess make sure make a choice make a promise make a point

Do and Make Tests

Do vs. Make Test

Do vs. Make Test 2