Do or Make
"Do" and "make" are verbs that are often used to talk about activities.
"Do" means to perform an action or a particular task.
"Make" means to form or create something.
Do
As mentioned earlier, "do" means to perform an action or a particular task. The emphasis here is the process or action of an activity.
Below are common collocations with "do."
"Do" + general activities
Do
things
something
nothing
anything
everything
"Did you do anything over the weekend? 'Cause I did absolutely nothing!"
"Do" + housework
Do
the laundry
the dishes
the shopping
An exception is "make the bed."
"What kind of chores do you usually do at home?"
"I try to do the dishes after every meal. I usually do the laundry on weekends."
"Do" + work/study
Do
a job
business
a project
homework
a course
a test or exam
some reading or writing
"I did some homework yesterday, but I still have to do some more reading for class tomorrow."
"Do" + body
Do
exercise
yoga
your hair
your makeup
"I try to do some yoga in the morning before I get ready for work. Doing my makeup doesn't take long and my hair is short, so I don't usually do anything to my hair.
"Do" + good/bad actions
Do
your best
badly
the right thing
good
"I don't really want to do badly but I also need a lot of motivation to do my best."
Related expressions with "do"
"Do (someone) a favour" - to perform a helpful service to someone.
"Can you do me a favour?"
"Do (someone) good" - to benefit or have a positive effect on someone.
"Taking a day off will do you some good."
Make
"Make" means to form or create something. The emphasis here is the result or outcome of an activity.
Below are common collocations and expressions with "make."
"Make" + food
Make
breakfast, lunch or dinner
tea or coffee
a reservation
"I made a reservation for dinner today. I'm running out of ideas for what to make for dinner all the time."
"Make" + action/reaction
Make
(someone) do it
(someone) happy, cry, frown, angry etc.
"She makes me really angry whenever she makes me do her job."
"Make" + money
Make
money or [specific amount]
a loss, profit or fortune
a living
"Make a living" - to earn enough to support oneself financially.
"Making a living isn't just about money, it's also about managing responsibilities."
"Make" + relationships
Make
friends
up
love
babies
"Make up" (phrasal verb) - to reconcile after an argument.
"They usually make up after a fight, but their last argument was quite serious."
"Make love" - to have sex.
"Make babies" - to have sex but with the goal of creating a baby.
"Don't just make babies, make love."
"Make" + communiation
Make
a phone call
a suggestion, comment or complaint
"It is often more constructive to make a suggestion than to make a complaint."
"Make" + plans/decisions
Make
arrangements
an offer or a promise
an exception
up your mind
"Make up your mind" - to make a decision.
"Don't just make empty promises and useless arrangements. Make up your mind!"
"Make" + progress/mistakes
Make
an error
an excuse
an attempt or effort
sure
a change or changes
a difference
"Make sure" (phrasal verb) - to check or confirm.
"Make a change or changes" - to change something in specific ways.
"Make a difference" - to have a significant effect on a person or situation.
"I want you to make sure that the appropriate changes are made to the draft."
"Don't make excuses, at least make an effort!"
"Make" + sound
Make
a sound or noise
music
"Don't make a sound! She's sleeping!"
Related expressions with "make"
"Make sense" (phrasal verb) - something is understandable or reasonable.
"Make a habit of something" - to do something regularly that it becomes a habit.
"It makes sense to make a habit of something that will do you some good."