MAKE vs DO | What's The Difference?

Reading this post on the verbs MAKE and DO will make learning ESL easier.

A simple guide.

We use make when we're talking about things we create (or make). These are usually things we choose to do and/or the result.

• "I'll make dinner tonight."

We use do when it's about things we execute (do). Tasks we do repeatedly, obligations, hobbies activities.

• "Do the dishes, please."

So if you're not sure if a sentence takes make or do, think about the subject. Is it a task or repeated action OR is it something people create (or make).

Look at the examples.

 Amir makes coffee with a French press; that's why it's so good.✔

Amir does coffee with a French press; that's why it's so good. ❌

Coffee is something we create, assemble, or put together: make.

Lonnie, Clair, and Hakeb do yoga in the park every Sunday. ✔

Lonnie, Clair, and Hakeb make yoga in the park every Sunday.❌

Yoga is a hobby but it isn't something we create. It's an action that we do. 

Now, please do the exercises below. Don't worry about making mistakes: mistakes are how we learn.
Yes, I like to make uncle jokes😂.

Exercise

Complete the sentences with the correct form of DO or MAKE. You can write your answers in the comments section.

A: Troy is over 60 but he has the body of a 20-year old boy.

B: That's because he has been _____ weights since he was 17.

I hate _____ laundry. It takes so long.

Ayako is going to _______ her own smartphone.

We ______our taxes late last year.

Wow. Shin ______ a mess of the kitchen. The cake better be good.

A: The servers at the restaurant were very rude.

B: We should go online and ______ a complaint.

Online Exercises  & Lessons

MAKE or DO | Exercise 1
MAKE or DO | Exercise 2

The exercises above are from Perfect English Grammar.

Check out these lessons from James @ EngVid and English With Lucy.