When should I use do, and when should I use make?
I made supper.
I'm doing my homework now.
He made it easier.
Is it true that make implies creation?
differencedo-vs-makeword-choice
When should I use do, and when should I use make?
I made supper.
I'm doing my homework now.
He made it easier.
Is it true that make implies creation?
Best Answer
You correctly suspect that “make” is associated with creation. Conversely, “do” will be associated with completion, especially completion of actions and work. For a more in-depth look at the differences, let's start with a readily available resource.
From the Woodward English site, the top-ranked result in a search for “do vs make”:
Now that we're on the same page, let's apply this knowledge to your examples:
This fits “make” sense 6 above, which is really just a special case of sense 1. The thing being constructed (so to speak, out of various ingredients) is a meal.
This is essentially the first example in sense 1 of “do” above. Homework generally consists of one or more tasks, and is done like a job.
This one's a little trickier, but it falls under sense 3 of “make” above, which is all about effecting a change in something (or someone) else. In cases like these, the phrase can easily be rewritten without “make” by using some form of “cause (it) to (be)”. For this particular example, you are essentially saying
“He [caused] it [to be] easier”, but that isn't how anyone is likely to say it in everyday parlance.
Note: I've extracted the key distinctions in my block quotes, but be sure to click the link above if you are at all interested in more examples, a helpful chart, and/or a practice test.
Also, please comment if there is some particular aspect of this distinction that is still bothering you.