Learn English – “make” and “do” – how to make sure you take the right one

do-vs-makeword-choice

I learned the simplified rule that make is used when I create something and do when I, well, do tasks. There's another question here about make versus do and its answer seconds that.

On the other hand, in any dictionary you also find a definition that basically states that do can be used in the sense of make:

to produce or make something

So, I'm looking for some more thorough explanation on when to choose make and when do. The simplified view at the matter will make me make the right choice most often but not always.

Just a few examples:

You make a speech and you make jokes but you do small talk.
You make the bed and you make the table but you do the flowers, do the dishes and do your homework.

How can I decide which word to use. Let's say I'd like to figure out if I make or do a copy of something.
Make a copy has certainly more hits, but in my book this is like doing homework. When I do my homework, I just write some words on a paper. When I copy my homework, I make sure the same is written on another paper. In both cases I do something but also in both cases I create something (not physically).

So, what are the clues that help me find the right word (in general, not only restricted to the previous example)?

Best Answer

I'm afraid the only general distinction is the one you have already named: do = perform and make = create.

But that is no more than a general tendency; as your examples show, in any specific instance either or both may be relevant, and at some point in the history of the language one has earned more favour than the other.

It's often possible to see a reason why one is used rather than the other in a particular situation, and that's useful for remembering which one is used; but it is of no value in predicting which one is used when you encounter a new situation. For instance:

You complete your homework assignments, which included writing down the answers to a series of questions. It seems that should be 'making' your homework, but in fact the proper phrase is doing your homework. You might remember this by considering that sometimes your homework doesn't call for you to 'make' anything: it might be reading a chapter in your textbook. The important thing is you did the tasks that were assigned.

You agree to act as the fourth person in a game of contract bridge. You would think this would call for 'do', since you are performing a role; but in fact you make a fourth. You can remember this by noting that what you are doing is “making” a complete table of players—would that have occurred to you before you encountered the phrase?

There's just no telling. You have to learn the right term case by case.

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