 |
ESL | Understanding |
|---|---|---|
| Blues | Do versus Make |
- I do all the housework, including the cooking and the washing up.
- Common Error: I make all the housework, including the cooking and washing up.
- I was cold so I made a fire.
- Common Error: I was cold so I did a fire.
GUIDE
... good
... harm
... one's best
... somebody a favor
... well (= succeed)
... a habit of
... a loss
... a mistake
... an attempt
... an effort
... an excuse
... an exception
... an offer
... a noise
... a profit
... a promise
... arrangements
... love, peace, war
... the most of (= take advantage of)
Make often has the meaning of produce, create, or prepare:
- I made a fire, then I made myself a meal. After the meal I made some coffee.
- That motorcycle makes a lot of noise, don't you think?
Do is usually the correct word when we are talking about work.
(In this sense it is often used with the -ing work activities: cooking, shopping, washing-up, sewing, cleaning, etc.).
(In this sense it is often used with the -ing work activities: cooking, shopping, washing-up, sewing, cleaning, etc.).
- It's the weekend. I don't do any work on the weekend: no homework, no housework, nothing.
- I never do the shopping. My wife does that. But I always do the cooking.
In other cases there are no clear rules. If in doubt, use make.
Be aware of the following common expressions:
Do
... business... good
... harm
... one's best
... somebody a favor
... well (= succeed)
Make
... a decision... a habit of
... a loss
... a mistake
... an attempt
... an effort
... an excuse
... an exception
... an offer
... a noise
... a profit
... a promise
... arrangements
... love, peace, war
... the most of (= take advantage of)
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