Make vs Do: When to Use Each Verb in English

Make and do are two of the most confusing verbs for English learners, because in many languages a single word covers both meanings. The good news is that there is a simple rule that works in most situations. Use make when you create something or bring something into existence that was not there before. You make coffee, you make dinner, you make a mistake and you make a new friend. In each case, something new appears as a result of your action. Use do when you talk about a task, a job or an activity that you carry out. You do the laundry, you do your homework, you do the shopping and you do the dishes. Nothing new is created; you are simply completing an action. In this short video, you will see both verbs in real examples and learn a quick way to remember the difference: if you are creating, use make, and if you are acting, use do. There are a few fixed expressions that you simply need to memorize, but this rule will help you choose correctly most of the time. Watch, repeat the examples and start using make and do with confidence.