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 favour
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 favour
make an effort, make an exception, make progress, make sense, make sure
Choose do or make to complete each sentence.
1. James _____ his homework in the evening.
a. does
b. makes
2. Mary usually _____ the dishes after breakfast.
a. does
b. makes
3. My brother _____ the beds at 8:00 AM.
a. does
b. makes
4. I need to _____ an appointment for Tuesday evening.
a. do
b. make
5. I'm going to _____ a cake for your birthday!
a. do
b. make
6. We will _____ the exercises that the teacher gave us.
a. do
b. make
7. I'm sure Fiona will _____ well on her test.
a. do
b. make
8. It's OK to _____ mistakes.
a. do
b. make
9. I need to _____ a phone call in fifteen minutes.
a. do
b. make
10. I'll wash the dishes, and you can _____ the ironing.
a. do
b. make
11. I know that the doctor is busy, but maybe she'll _____ time to see me.
a. do
b. make
12. We have to _____ a decision by tomorrow evening.
a. do
b. make
13. That is not a job that I'd like to _____.
a. do
b. make
14. What would you rather _____: go to the mall or see a movie?
a. do
b. make
15. Q: He's late again? A: Yes, he _____ this all the time.
a. does
b. makes
16. We will not manage to arrive by 10. = We will not _____ it by 10.
a. do
b. make
17. We've been _____ chores all day.
a. doing
b. making
18. They are going to _____ a complaint about one of the workers.
a. do
b. make
19. Be quiet! = Don't _____ a sound!
a. do
b. make
20. It doesn't matter what happens, as long as you _____ your best (= try your hardest).
a. do
b. make
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER RELATED EXERCISES:
Do or make? 1 (B1/B2)
Do or make? 2 (B1/B2)
Change or exchange? 1 (I)
Other, another, different? 1 (I/A)
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Do or make? 1 (B1/B2)
Do or make? 2 (B1/B2)
Change or exchange? 1 (I)
Other, another, different? 1 (I/A)
More grammar exercises
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