DO vs Make - With an Easy and Simple Explanation

 

These two words can be confusing. Do and Make are two verbs that often confuse students.

DO generally refers to the action itself, and MAKE usually refers to the result.

Difference between DO and MAKE

 

Here we will learn the difference between do and make and when to use each with examples of sentences to help you!

1. How to use "make"

"Make" is used to make something often by hand. and when we create or construct something. Examples:

• We make birdhouses every winter.
• The pupils make a lot of noise in the break.
• Make money.
• Make friends.
• Make a phone call.
• Make a promise.
• Make progress.
• Did you really make those trousers?
  

2. How to use "do"

"Do" is used as an unnamed, unspecified, action that is considered a mental act. also for general activities. Examples:

• They do their homework in the afternoon.
• I often do the shopping in the evenings.
• Do the housework.
• Do the shopping.
• Do homework.
• Do business.
• Do well.
• Do the right thing.
• Do your best.

 

See: Collocation and Idioms with DO

 

Do and make in general sentences

 

The difference between "do" and "make" can be made clearer when you memorize the sentence. Here are 40 sentences:

1. "Do" in sentences include:

1. The devil finds work for idle hands to do.
2. Great men’s sons seldom do well.
3. Better to do well than to say well.
4. Crows do not pick crow’s eyes.
5. Never trust another what you should do yourself.
6. Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
7. Drive your business, do not let it drive you.
8. Do well is better than say well.
9. Not to say well, but to do well.
10. Do not praise a day before sunset.
11. When you go to Rome, do as Rome does.
12. Do not through fear of poverty surrender liberty.
13. They that do nothing learn to do ill.
14. No man can do two things at once.
15. Do not run too fast after gain.
16. Do not wash dirty linen in public
17. Do not swap horses when crossing a stream. 
    
18. Wise men change their minds; fools never do.
19. Whatever I do, I will do in my power.
20. A thousand probabilities do not make one truth.

 

2. "Make" in sentences include:

1. Two negatives make an affirmative.
2. The empty vessels make the greatest sound.
3. You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.
4. Cheerfulness and goodwill make labour light.
5. Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.
6. Two blacks do not make a white.
7. Guilty consciences always make people [men] cowards.
8. Money often unmakes the men who make it.
9. Whom the gods destroy, they first make mad.
10. One false step will make a great difference.
11. If life deals you lemons, make lemonade.
12. Two blacks don't make a white.
13. A thousand probabilities do not make one truth.
14. The calmest husbands make the stormiest wives.
15. Many hands make light (or quick) work.
16. Clothes don’t make the man.
17. Fair words will not make the pot play.
18. Make hay while the sun shines.
19. Storms make trees take deeper roots.
20. Many hands make a burden lighter.

 

 See: 35 Collocations and Idioms With MAKE

 

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 References

learningenglish.voanews -  dictionary.cambridge - vocabulary