4/22/2010

Make versus Do

Do you think we are going to make or do a good  job today? As you already know, make and do are two of the most common verbs in English. They are also two of the most commonly confused verbs in English!! Since they both translate to “hacer”, people are unsure which one they should use.

To make things easier, let me explain their general use. The verb make is used to mean “create” or “prepare”, while the verb do is used with activities. Of course, there are exceptions. Here’s a little quiz to test your knowledge. Figure out[1] whether you do or make these objects. The answers are in the comments below. Do your best!

1
the bed[2]

15
homework[3]
2
business

16
the housework[4]
3
the cleaning

17
a list
4
a decision

18
a mistake
5
dinner

19
money
6
the dishes[5]

20
noise
7
an effort

21
an offer
8
errands[6]

22
a phone call
9
an exam

23
plans
10
an excuse

24
a puzzle
11
exercise

25
a scene[7]
12
a favor

26
the shopping
13
the gardening

27
a suggestion          
14
a good/bad job
[8]
28
trouble[9]

Did you do this exercise correctly? I hope it all makes sense[10]!


[1] resolver, [2] tender la cama, [3] hacer los deberes, [4] hacer las tareas domesticas, [5] lavar los platos, [6] hacer mandados, [7] causar un escándalo, [8] hacer un buen/mal trabajo, [9] causar problemas, [10] tiene sentido

1 comment:

Adam Yerman said...

Answers:
Do: 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 24, 26;
Make: 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28