ESL Blues   Troubleshooting do and make   

There is often a lot of confusion about the correct use of do and make. This is especially the case for those whose language makes no distinction between these two forms (as in French and Spanish, for example).
Correct FormsCommon Errors
I do all the housework, including the cooking and the washing up. I make all the housework, including the cooking and washing up.

I was cold so I made a fire.

I was cold so I did a fire.
Here are a few guidelines:

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 a general activity; that is, we do not specify its nature.

  • I hope you know what you are doing.
  • If you do that, you'll regret it.

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.).

  • 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:
DoMake
... business
... good
... harm
... one's best
... somebody a favor
... well (= succeed)
... 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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