Do

Do can be an auxiliary verb (Do you like coffee?) or a main verb (I did my homework
yesterday.). As an auxiliary verb, it has no meaning. It is necessary only for the
grammatical structure. As a main verb it has a meaning, but the meaning is rather general.
It often expresses a general activity.
Do for general activity
hen we talk about a general activity but do not say what it is, we can use do!
I want to do something.
hat are you doing this evening?
hat can we do?
Do it now"
Do for work
e usually use do to talk about work!
hat do you do? (# hat is your $ob?)
ho does your shopping?
I don%t want to do any work today.
I hate doing the washing up.
&ave you done your homework?
'ote that we sometimes use do to replace another more exact verb (but only when the
meaning is clear from the situation). (his is very informal.
do the lawn (cut)mow? sow? the lawn)
do my room (tidy? paint? my room)
do the car (wash? paint? repair? the car)
Make
Make is not an auxiliary verb. It is always a main verb (I made a cake yesterday.). Its
meaning is also rather general, but it often expresses the idea of construction or creation.
Make for construction
Make often expresses the idea of construction or creation!
I%ll make a cake for Anthony%s birthday.
(his car was made in *rance.
+id you make this table yourself?
'ow compare!
Do the shopping. (e don%t really create anything. e $ust ,do, an activity.)
Make a cake. (e really create something.)
In the next example, notice how we use make for creation (the cake) and then use do (for
the general activity) even though we%re really talking about the same thing!
I must make Anthony%s cake. I%ll do it now.
Expressions with Do and Make
&ere are some expressions that you should learn. 'otice that as main verbs we use make
more often than do!
do good
do harm
do well
do badly
do a favour
do business
make an attempt
make a bed (usually this means ,tidy the bedclothes, but it
could mean ,manufacture the furniture,)
make a change)changes
make a complaint
make a decision
make a demand
make an effort
make an exception
make an excuse
make a loss
make love
make a mistake
make money
make a noise
make an offer
make peace
make a phone call
make a profit
make a suggestion
make war