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09/15/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/15/2025 07:15
What is the difference between “do” and “make” in English
September 15, 2025Aislin Pickett Davis, M.A.
What is the difference between "do" and "make" in English?
Don't let these similar verbs *make* you crazy-here's how to remember the difference!
September 15, 2025 Aislin Pickett Davis, M.A.
The verbs makeand doare some of the most common verbs in English. They have similar meanings, so it can be challenging to decide when to use them-especially since they translate to the same word in many languages!
However, with the helpful tricks, examples and explanations in this guide, you'll feel sure when using these two verbs.
In this post:
- A memory trick for when to use make and do
- When to use make in English
- When to use do in English
- Examples of make and do in English
A memory trick for when to use make and do
Here is a simple memory trick to help you remember their main uses:
When to use make in English
The acronym MAKE helps you remember the four main uses of the verb make:
| Situation | Example phrases | |
| Money | speak about earning and spending money |
make money make a payment make a purchase make an investment |
| Arrangements | arrange plans and choose what to do |
make a plan make a decision make a reservation make arrangements make a choice make an appointment make a mistake |
| Keep | create objects that you can see and touch |
make a blanket make a table make a sculpture make jewelry |
| Eat | prepare food and drink |
make a sandwich make lunch make a salad make a cake make coffee |
When to use do in English
And the acronym DO includes the uses of do!
| Uses of do | Example phrases | |
| Daily Tasks | participate in common activities, such as chores, household tasks, and hobbies |
do the dishes do housework do yardwork do chores do your hair do your makeup do your nails do yoga |
| Occupation | complete tasks related to work and school |
do your job do work do business do a project do an assignment do homework |
Examples of make and do in English
Here are examples of the most common uses of make and do:
| Example | Acronym | Use |
| Junior is selling some of his old toys. He wants to make twenty dollars! | MAKE | money |
| You'll make more money if we change jobs. | MAKE | money |
| How do they make a living? | MAKE | money |
| Someone has to make the final decision. | MAKE | arrangements |
| Lucy will make a reservation at a nice hotel. | MAKE | arrangements |
| My grandma made sweaters for us to wear! | MAKE | keep |
| Oscar made a beautiful piece of art to hang on the wall. | MAKE | keep |
| I'm hungry, so I'm going to make some pasta. | MAKE | eat |
| Vikram, what are you making for dinner? | MAKE | eat |
| My husband makes coffee for me every morning. | MAKE | eat |
| I want to do my nails, but I can't pick a color! | DO | daily tasks |
| Lin doesn't want to do her laundry. | DO | daily tasks |
| My roommates never do the dishes! | DO | daily tasks |
| Zari and Lily are doing their homework. | DO | occupations |
| Please do this project before January 12th. | DO | occupations |
Keep making progress in English!
The next time you need to choose between "make" and "do" in English, think about Money, Arrangements, Keep, Eat (MAKE) and Daily tasks, Occupations (DO). This memory trick will help you learn the most important and most frequent uses of these verbs!
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