DO OR MAKE? EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
These two verbs are frequently confused because many languages use a single word for both. The grammar review below explains the core distinction and gives you a practical shortcut for approaching each sentence.
Grammar review
Do or make? — the core distinction
Do and make are both translated as the same word in many languages, which is why they’re so often confused in English. The good news is that there is a pattern — it just takes practice to internalise.
DO — generally refers to activities, tasks, and actions (often without naming the specific thing):
do your homework, do the dishes, do the laundry, do exercise, do a good job, do business, do your best
Also used when the action is unspecified: “What are you doing?”
MAKE — generally refers to creating, producing, or causing something:
make a cake, make a decision, make a mistake, make money, make a phone call, make friends, make noise
A useful shortcut:
If you can imagine a physical product or result being created → make.
If it’s a task, duty, or general activity → do.
Important fixed expressions (must be memorized):
do damage, do harm, do good, do someone a favor
make an effort, make an exception, make progress, make sense, make sure
Do and make are both translated as the same word in many languages, which is why they’re so often confused in English. The good news is that there is a pattern — it just takes practice to internalise.
DO — generally refers to activities, tasks, and actions (often without naming the specific thing):
do your homework, do the dishes, do the laundry, do exercise, do a good job, do business, do your best
Also used when the action is unspecified: “What are you doing?”
MAKE — generally refers to creating, producing, or causing something:
make a cake, make a decision, make a mistake, make money, make a phone call, make friends, make noise
A useful shortcut:
If you can imagine a physical product or result being created → make.
If it’s a task, duty, or general activity → do.
Important fixed expressions (must be memorized):
do damage, do harm, do good, do someone a favor
make an effort, make an exception, make progress, make sense, make sure
Choose the correct answer for each sentence, then click Check answers to see how you did.
1. James _____ his homework in the evening.
Correct answer: does
2. Mary usually _____ the dishes after breakfast.
Correct answer: does
3. My brother _____ the beds at 8:00 AM.
Correct answer: makes
4. I need to _____ an appointment for Tuesday evening.
Correct answer: make
5. I'm going to _____ a cake for your birthday!
Correct answer: make
6. We will _____ the exercises that the teacher gave us.
Correct answer: do
7. I'm sure Fiona will _____ well on her test.
Correct answer: do
8. It's OK to _____ mistakes.
Correct answer: make
9. I need to _____ a phone call in fifteen minutes.
Correct answer: make
10. I'll wash the dishes, and you can _____ the ironing.
Correct answer: do
11. I know that the doctor is busy, but maybe she'll _____ time to see me.
Correct answer: make
12. We have to _____ a decision by tomorrow evening.
Correct answer: make
13. That is not a job that I'd like to _____.
Correct answer: do
14. What would you rather _____: go to the mall or see a movie?
Correct answer: do
15. Q: He's late again? A: Yes, he _____ this all the time.
Correct answer: does
16. We will not manage to arrive by 10. = We will not _____ it by 10.
Correct answer: make
17. We've been _____ chores all day.
Correct answer: doing
18. They are going to _____ a complaint about one of the workers.
Correct answer: make
19. Be quiet! = Don't _____ a sound!
Correct answer: make
20. It doesn't matter what happens, as long as you _____ your best (= try your hardest).
Correct answer: do
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More do/make exercises:
Do or Make? Exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Related auxiliary verb exercises:
Do or Does? 1 (A1/A2)
Which Word: Do, Does, Is, Are? 1 (B1-B2)
Do or Does? Exercise 2 (A1-A2)
Auxiliary Verbs Exercise 3 (Be, Do, Have) (A2/B1)
Do or Does? Exercise 3 (A1-A2)
Auxiliary Verbs Exercise 1 (Be, Do, Have) (A2/B1)
Auxiliary Verbs Exercise 2 (Be, Do, Have) (A2/B1)
Using the word Like in English 1 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
More do/make exercises:
Do or Make? Exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Related auxiliary verb exercises:
Do or Does? 1 (A1/A2)
Which Word: Do, Does, Is, Are? 1 (B1-B2)
Do or Does? Exercise 2 (A1-A2)
Auxiliary Verbs Exercise 3 (Be, Do, Have) (A2/B1)
Do or Does? Exercise 3 (A1-A2)
Auxiliary Verbs Exercise 1 (Be, Do, Have) (A2/B1)
Auxiliary Verbs Exercise 2 (Be, Do, Have) (A2/B1)
Using the word Like in English 1 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
