Make vs do
Do your homework.
Make a decision.
Learn the words together.
What is the difference between make and do?
Make often describes producing a result. Do often describes performing a task. But these patterns are only a starting point: many expressions have a fixed verb partner. Learn the whole phrase, such as make a decision or do your homework.
Make a little plan.
- make breakfast
- make a decision
- make a mistake
- make plans
- make your bed
“Let’s make breakfast, then make plans for the afternoon.”
Do one small task.
- do your homework
- do the shopping
- do housework
- do someone a favour
- do your best
“Can you do me a favour and do the shopping today?”
What about made, did and done?
Both verbs have irregular forms.
- make → made → made: “I made breakfast.” / “I’ve made a decision.”
- do → did → done: “I did the shopping.” / “I’ve done my homework.”
After can, will or to in these examples, use the base form: “I can do it”, “I’ll make breakfast”, “I need to do my homework”.
Make or do? A quick reminder.
Watch the Short, then practise below.
Watch on YouTube ↗Opens YouTube in a new tab.
Do my homework.
Make a decision.
Choose your word partner.
Use make or do in each of the eight gaps. Then check your answers and read the explanations.
Show all answers and explanations
- do — Learn do my homework as a complete phrase.
- make — The usual phrase is make a decision.
- do — Use do someone a favour when asking for help.
- make — Use make a mistake. Mistakes are part of learning.
- do — Do the shopping means carrying out this everyday task.
- make — Make your bed means arrange its covers, not build a new bed.
- do — Do your best means try as hard as you can.
- make — Use make plans when deciding what you will do.
Use it in your day.
Say one thing you need to do and one thing you want to make.
“Today, I need to do…”Get the free worksheet ↓
“This week, I want to make…”
Keep practising.
Created for The Pocket Teacher · Theo is our animated guide. About these lessons · Suggest a correction