From French, the verb FAIRE can be translated as either to make or to do in English.
There are five rules to assist in choosing the correct meaning and some exceptions.
The examples in the table at the end of this topic should be memorised.
Usage:
As the verb TO MAKE when it means to build/construct/create/produce/change/renovate:
I made a model train at school today.
Our mother makes our beds each morning.
As the verb TO MAKE when it means: to force/give orders/instruct/compel:
We made our friends buy us an ice cream.
The officer made the soldiers march faster.
As the verb TO DO when it describes an action without saying exactly what the action is:
I am doing my best at school.
My father did some work in the garden yesterday.
As the verb TO DO when the subject is work:
His wife does the housework in the afternoon.
My father usually does the cooking on Sunday.
As the auxiliary verb TO DO in the Present Simple and Past Simple Tenses of verbs:
She does think about me very much / She doesn't think about me very much / Do you like England?
The elephant did damage many trees / The elephant didn't damage many trees / Did you study hard?
Now Try To Memorise this List:
MAKE | DO |
---|---|
A MISTAKE | MY HOMEWORK |
UP MY MIND | THE SHOPPING |
A MESS | SOMEONE A FAVOUR |
A COMPLAINT | THE HOUSEWORK |
SURE THAT | NOTHING |
MY BED | MY BEST |
MONEY | BUSINESS WITH |
A SPEECH | EXERCISES |
A PROFIT | THE WASHING UP |
A NOISE | WELL |
A PHONE CALL | HARM |
FRIENDS WITH | THE COOKING |
A WILL | THE IRONING |
LOVE | MY HAIR |
PROGRESS | DAMAGE |
A DECISION | CROSSWORDS |
A FUSS | SPORT |
ARRANGEMENTS | A PROJECT |
AN APOLOGY | YOGA |
After reading this lesson you may want to do some exercises, then click HERE.