Collocations:

Make, do, have, take

There are some general rules for this, but mainly you need to remember lots of fixed
expressions.

Look at the information in the table for a couple of minutes and try to remember the
words. Then try to answer the questions.

MAKE DO HAVE TAKE

sure
sense for granted
a decision notes
a look
a mistake the ironing a photo
dinner
a profit/loss the housework advantage of sb
a headache
money/millions your homework care of sb
a party
a fortune business place
a picnic
friends well/badly sth into account
a barbecue
war sth wrong/right your time
an appointment
a noise your best time
fun
a mess damage/harm no notice of sth
trouble
fun of someone sb a favour part in sth
sth in common
a phone call pride in
progress the opportunity
a difference
*SB- somebody; STH-something

Make is also used with most nouns for ways of speaking/planning. For example, you
make a complaint, a promise, an offer, a threat, a speech, an apology, a point, a
confession, an accusation, a suggestion, an arrangement, a decision, a plan, an
appointment.

Have is used with most nouns which involve a two-way discussion. For example, you
have a conversation, a chat, a discussion, an argument, a fight, a row, a meeting, an
interview.

We also often use have + a + verb (where the verb and the noun are the same). For
example, have a look, a rest, a sleep, a drink, a walk, a go.
Practice 1
Choose the best word to complete these sentences. Remember, you need to choose the
correct form (for example make, makes, made, making).

0. I'm having a party at the weekend. Would you like to come?

1. She's always promises, but then she always breaks them!
2. The wedding will place in a local registry office.
3. I wish I was more progress with my English.
4. I never part in team sports at school.
5. It's mean to fun of people.
6. What are you holding? Can I a look?
7. I think I've this exercise completely wrong.
8. Would you mind me a favour and driving me to the doctor's?
9. The murderer a complete confession to the police last night.
10. We were just a chat when his jealous girlfriend started shouting at
me.
11. Please don't get angry, I don't want to an argument about this.

Practice 2
Rewrite these sentences using 2-5 words. Be very careful that you keep the tenses the
same!!!

0. I found it difficult to understand his accent. (trouble)

I have trouble understading his accent.
1. He complained to the manager about the terrible food. (made)
He to the manager about the terrible food.
2. Please look after my little sister for me. (of)
Please my little sister for me.
3. There's no hurry - please don't rush. (time)
There's no hurry - please .
4. You should ignore him. (notice)
You should him.
5. My house was seriously damaged in the earthquake. (damage)
The earthquake to my house.
6. She's earning a lot of money in her new job. (fortune)
She in her new job.
7. I tried really hard to explain the problem to her. (best)
I the problem to her.
8. You're too loud. Please be quiet. (noise)
You . Please be quiet.
9. My sister and I are completely different. (common)
I my sister.
10. I've been on a diet for 6 weeks, but I'm still the same weight. (difference)
My diet has my weight.
KEY
0. I'm having a party at the weekend. Would you like to come?
1. She's always MAKING promises, but then she always breaks them!
2. The wedding will TAKE place in a local registry office.
3. I wish I was MAKING more progress with my English.
4. I never TOOK part in team sports at school.
5. It's meant to MAKE fun of people.
6. What are you holding? Can I HAVE a look?
7. I think I've DONE this exercise completely wrong.
8. Would you mind DOING me a favour and driving me to the doctor's?
9. The murderer MADE a complete confession to the police last night.
10. We were just HAVING a chat when his jealous girlfriend started shouting at me.
11. Please don't get angry, I don't want to HAVE an argument about this.

Practice 2
Rewrite these sentences using 2-5 words. Be very careful that you keep the tenses the
same!!!

0. I found it difficult to understand his accent. (trouble)

I have trouble understading his accent.
1. He complained to the manager about the terrible food. (made)
He MADE A COMPLAINT to the manager about the terrible food.
2. Please look after my little sister for me. (of)
Please TAKE CARE OF my little sister for me.
3. There's no hurry - please don't rush. (time)
There's no hurry - please TAKE YOUR TIME .
4. You should ignore him. (notice)
You should TAKE NO NOTICE OF him.
5. My house was seriously damaged in the earthquake. (lot)
The earthquake DID A LOT OF DAMAGE to my house.
6. She's earning a lot of money in her new job. (fortune)
She IS MAKING A FORTUNE in her new job.
7. I tried really hard to explain the problem to her. (best)
I DID MY BEST TO EXPLAIN the problem to her.
8. You're too loud. Please be quiet. (noise)
You ARE MAKING TOO MUCH NOISE . Please be quiet.
10. My sister and I are completely different. (common)
I HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON WITH my sister.
11. I've been on a diet for 6 weeks, but I'm still the same weight. (difference)
My diet has MADE NO DIFFERENCE TO my weight.