Understanding the difference between “make” and “do” is an essential skill for improving your English. These verbs can be tricky, but don’t worry—this lesson will make it easy for you! 🙂
🔄 General Rules
- Make is used for creating or producing something.
- Example: “I made a cake yesterday.”
- Do is used for actions, activities, or tasks.
- Example: “I need to do my homework.”
🎨 Key Differences
When to Use Make
Use “make” when focusing on the result of an action, often something tangible or concrete. 🎉
Common Expressions with “Make”:
| 🌱 Expression | 🖊 Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Make a decision | “She made a decision to study abroad.” |
| Make a mistake | “Don’t worry if you make a mistake.” |
| Make progress | “He is making progress in his English skills.” |
| Make money | “How do you make money online?” |
| Make an effort | “You need to make an effort to practice daily.” |
When to Use Do
Use “do” when focusing on the action itself rather than the result. This includes daily tasks, work, or responsibilities. 🏋️♂️
Common Expressions with “Do”:
| 🌱 Expression | 🖊 Example Sentence |
| Do homework | “I’ll do my homework after dinner.” |
| Do the dishes | “Can you do the dishes tonight?” |
| Do business | “We do business with companies around the world.” |
| Do your best | “Just do your best on the exam.” |
| Do a favor | “Could you do me a favor and call John?” |
Grammar Practice
Speaking
Board Game
For High-Intermediate students
🎲 Board Game Instructions:
- Start Here 🏁: Begin the game by placing your token on the “START” space.
- Roll the Dice 🎲: Each player rolls the dice to move forward.
- Move Your Token ➡️: Move the number of spaces shown on the dice.
- Land on a Space:
- Look at the picture 🖼️.
- Create a detailed sentence using the phrase about present habits in the key. Add more details to your sentence (e.g. reasons or descriptions).
- Phrases about present habits: 1= constantly, 2= tend to, 3= have a habit of, 4= on the whole, 5= as a rule, 6= from time to time. Examples: I am constantly making money./ I have a habit of doing the dishes at night.
6. Finish: 🏆 The first player to reach the finish wins the challenge!