Make vs Do
What's the difference?
Two of the most common verbs in English — and two of the most confusing for learners, because many pairings are just fixed phrases. Here's the pattern, plus the phrases worth memorising.
Quick answer
Use make for producing or creating a result (make a cake, make a plan). Use do for tasks, activities, and work (do homework, do the dishes). Many are set phrases, so learn the common ones.
Compared side by side
(verb) to create or produce something — often a result you can point to.
- “I made a cake.”
- “She made a decision.”
- “Don't make so much noise.”
(verb) for tasks, activities, jobs, and work in general.
- “I did my homework.”
- “Can you do the dishes?”
- “What do you do for work?”
How to remember it
make = create something new (a meal, a mistake, a decision). do = carry out a task or activity (a job, homework, the shopping).
Frequently asked
How do I know which to use?
As a rough guide: make when there's a result you can point to (a cake, a plan), do for activities and chores (work, exercise). Many are fixed phrases, though — worth memorising.
What are the common fixed phrases?
Make: make a mistake, make money, make friends, make sure, make a decision. Do: do homework, do business, do a favour, do the shopping, do your best.