Mastering English can be complex, but it becomes quite a challenge when it comes to certain seemingly simple, yet deeply complex verbs, such as “do” y “make“. These two words are used in many everyday expressions in English and, although in Spanish they would both translate as “hacer”, they have specific nuances in English that can cause confusion even to more experienced speakers.
That’s why today, in this article we’re going to talk about what the difference is between make and do.
Here we go!
What is the difference between“do” and“make“?
The distinction between“do” and“make” in English can be a grammatical minefield for many learners of the language.
Generally speaking,
“do” is used when referring to non-specific actions or tasks, while “make“is reserved for the creation or realization of something concrete. However, this theoretical application always has some exceptions and, for this reason, in many English academies it is recommended to learn by heart when to use each of them, especially if you intend to learn to pass the English exam.
Examples of sentences with“make” or“do“
As mentioned above, we use “make” when we create or build something tangible.
- She’s going to make a delicious cake for the party.
- The artist is making a beautiful sculpture out of marble .
On the other hand, “do” is used when we refer to non-specific actions or tasks:
- I need to do my homework before the deadline.
- Can you do the dishes after dinner? (Can you do the dishes after dinner?)
In addition, we also use “make” to refer to the production or manufacture of something.
- The company makes high-quality leather goods.
(The company makes high-quality leather goods.)
- He makes a living by creating handmade jewelry .
And “do” when we talk about activities in general or more abstract tasks.
- I like to do yoga in the morning.
- Can you do me a favor and pick up my mail? (Can you do me a favor and pick up my mail?)
Confusing cases of “make” vs “do”.
One of the cases that creates the most confusion is the case of “make a decision” vs.
“do a decision”. If we said that “do” was used for more abstract terms, it makes sense to think that it should be used to talk about decisions.
Instead, the correct word is “make”:
- I need some time to make a decision about the job offer.
As with decisions, errors in English are also made with “make”:
- I made a mistake in the calculations, and I need to fix it .
And what about the effort?
Exactly the same thing!
“Make” is used to express the act of putting effort into something, while “do” doesn’t fit here:
- She made a tremendous effort to learn a new language .
Because each case is so confusing, understanding the difference between “do” and “make” can be a challenge initially, but as you get used to using it, it will seem to make more sense and you will be able to integrate it easily into your daily speaking.
The key is practice and constant exposure to the language.
So, if you need more help integrating these concepts, contact us!
At our English school we offer classes at all levels and we can help you familiarize yourself with these confusing concepts in a simple way.