Popular Collocations with MAKE and DO: What’s the Difference?

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In the English language, “make” and “do” are two commonly used verbs that can often be used interchangeably. However, there are certain collocations or word combinations that are more commonly used with one verb or the other. Understanding the difference between “make” and “do” can help to improve your language skills and make you sound more fluent.

In this guide, we will explore the difference between “make” and “do” and the collocations that are typically used with each verb. We will also provide examples of common phrases and sentences that use “make” and “do” to help you better understand the difference between the two verbs.

List of Common Collocations with MAKE and DO

List of some common collocations with Make:

• Make money
• Make progress
• Make a difference
• Make a mistake
• Make a decision
• Make a phone call
• Make a reservation
• Make a point
• Make a plan
• Make a difference
• Make a change
• Make a move
• Make a difference
• Make a living
• Make a statement
• Make a claim
• Make a request
• Make a purchase
• Make a reservation
• Make a list

List of some common collocations with Do:

• Do research
• Do homework
• Do business
• Do exercise
• Do damage
• Do justice
• Do well
• Do wrong
• Do a favor
• Do a job
• Do a task
• Do a survey
• Do a study
• Do a presentation
• Do a workout
• Do a service
• Do a good deed
• Do a test
• Do a search
• Do a cleaning

If there are any word associations that need such attentiveness and intensive concentrated practice will surely be the cases in which DO and MAKE are used to describe actions. Both of them work better and more authentically than each other because none of them dare replace the other in any domain supervised, predominated and controlled by each one of them. This is said, we have to take it for granted that both of the verbs almost describe the same action.

“We’ll make dinner provided that you do the dishes“.

What are The Differences Between DO and MAKE

The main difference between “do” and “make” is that “do” is generally used for general actions, while “make” is used for creating or producing something. “Do” can be used for many different types of actions, such as work, household tasks, activities, and more. “Make” is typically used to indicate the creation of something, such as making a cake, making a phone call, making a mistake, etc.

Another difference between “do” and “make” is that “do” is often used in idiomatic phrases, such as “do business” or “do your best” whereas “make” is often used in collocations that involve creating or producing something, such as “make a cake” or “make a decision.”

It’s also important to note that “do” is more common in spoken English, while “make” is more common in written English.

For example:

• “I will do my homework later.” (general action)
• “I will make a cake for the party.” (creating something)
• “I’m going to do some shopping.” (activity)
• “I’m going to make a phone call to my friend.” (creating something)

The Differences Between DO and MAKE | Image

Please note that ‘Make’ and ‘Do’ express the same thing but each one is used irreplaceably in combination with particular actions. It is easy but you need to continuously practice them so that these crucial details stick in your head.

The following tables will show you some frequent uses of the word combinations with both do and make. These collocations have to be learnt quite curiously so as not to be confused and therefore confusing. Don’t forget that native speaker wouldn’t understand you if it happens that you misused the combination.