MAKE AND DO

The two verbs 'do' and 'make' are often confused. The meanings are similar, but there are differences.

'Do' for Activities, for General Ideas and important expressions used in English.

Use the verb 'do' to express daily activities or jobs. Notice that these are usually activities that produce no physical object.

do homework
do housework
do the ironing
do the dishes
do a job

Use the verb 'do' when speaking about things in general. In other words, when we do not exactly name an activity. This form is often used with the words 'something, nothing, anything, everything, etc.'

I'm not doing anything today.
He does everything for his mother.
She's doing nothing at the moment.

There are a number of standard expressions that take the verb 'do'. These are standard collocations (verb + noun combinations) that are used in English.

do one's best
do good
do harm
do a favour
do business

'Make' for Constructing, Building, Creating and important Expressions with 'Make'

Use 'make' to express an activity that creates something that you can touch.

make food
make a cup of tea / coffee
make a mess

There are a number of standard expressions that take the verb 'make'. In a number of cases the verb 'do' seems more appropriate. These are standard collocations (verb + noun combinations) that are used in English.

make plans                                    make an exception
make an excuse                             make a phone call
make an effort                               make a mistake

make an exception
make arrangements