Two of the most commonly used and confusing verbs in English are 'To Do' and 'To Make'. Many languages only use one verb for both. In their basic meaning, they are very easy to use correctly. But, like everything in English, there are a lot of exceptions, where we use the opposite to what would make sense.
In this online exercise, we will look at how to use 'to do' and 'to make' in their basic meaning and then give you examples of some of the most commonly used exceptions in English.
Click here to see more online exercises on verbs and phrasal verbs in English.
The basic difference between the two verbs in English is that To Do means to perform an action, whereas To Make means to create or build something. Look at the below examples. If you focus on both the context and the subject of the verb, it will explain how to use the two verbs in English:
A Teacher makes an exam
A Student does an exam
An Employee does a job
An Employer makes a job
These are the main meanings of the verbs 'to do' and 'to make'. For example, 'you make a cake, not do a cake' and 'you do yoga, not make yoga'.
But many times in English, we use 'to make', when it would make more sense to use 'to do'. Or the reverse. This depends on what the object of the sentence is. An example of this is 'to make the bed'. Although it would make more sense for 'make' in this sentence to mean you create or bulid the bed, it doesn't mean that.
In English, 'to make the bed' means to simply perform a task where the sheets of the bed aren't disorganized. The only way to learn these exceptions is through memorizing them. Welcome to English!
So now do the below quiz to see if you are using 'to do' and 'to make' correctly when you write or speak in English.
In the following quiz fill the gaps in the 12 sentences with either to do or to make. In some cases you will need to use the basic meaning of the verbs, while in others, you will need to use the reverse. Focus on the context and the object of the verb when deciding. Also, make sure that the tense and conjugation of your answer is correct for the sentence.
Now choose the form of 'to do' or 'to make' from the question's selection box which you believe is correct for the sentence. You can use the answers in the selection box more than once. Click on the "Check" button at the bottom of the quiz to check your answers.
When the answer is correct, two icons will appear next to the question. The first is an Additional Information Icon "". Click on this for extra information on the word/phrase and for a translation. The second is a Pronunciation Icon "". Click on this to listen to the pronunciation of the do or make collocation.
Now that you understand the uses of 'do' and 'make', practise using them by creating your own sentences with them in English. Also click on the "" icon under each correct answer and listen how each is pronounced correctly.
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