Common Mistakes

"make homework" or "do homework"?

I have to make my homework.

I have to do my homework.

The rule

You DO homework, not "make" it. English uses "do" for tasks and study — do homework, do the dishes, do exercise.

"Make" and "do" both mean to perform an action, but English uses "do" for tasks, chores, and study. "Make" is for creating something new — and homework is a task you carry out, so it's "do homework."

More examples

Did you make the dishes?

Did you do the dishes?

She makes a lot of exercise.

She does a lot of exercise.

I need to make some research.

I need to do some research.

How to remember it

Tasks and activities take "do" (do homework, do the shopping, do exercise). "Make" is for creating things (make a cake, make a plan).

Frequently asked

Why "do" and not "make"?

"Make" means to create or produce something you can point to (a cake, a mistake). Homework, dishes, and exercise are tasks you carry out, and tasks take "do."

How do I remember which verb?

As a rough guide: "make" when there's a result you create, "do" for work, chores, and study. Many are fixed phrases — do homework, do business, do your best — worth learning by heart.

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