We use do when we talk about an activity without mentioning exactly what it is:
-
What's she doing?
-
Are you doing anything tonight?
Do is often used when we talk about work or
a task. It is also used in the structure DO+ ING:
-
Have you done your homework yet? -
It was a pleasure doing business with you.
-
Could you do some photocopying for me, please?
Make often has the meaning of createor construct:
-
We made a new design for the product based
on his suggestions.
-
The company makes photographic equipment.
Make is often used with nouns
connected with talking,
sounds and travelling:
TALKING AND SOUNDS
make a complaint, make an enquiry, make a noise, make a remark
TRAVELLING
make a journey, make atrip, make a
visit
Sometimes
make and do can be interchangeable:
- They made an endurance test to the new
Airbus double-decker.
- They did an endurance test to the new
Airbus double-decker.
There are however, many other
expressions which do not follow these guidelines and it is best to learn
these or use a
dictionary if you are unsure:
MAKE...
an appointment, an
arrangement, an attempt, a choice,
a living,
sense,certain,redundant,money, progress, a start, a
suggestion, a decision,an investigation, a speech, a mistake, a sound, a loss
DO...
business, nothing, an
exam, research, damage, harm, a
job,
a favour,the
typing, your
best, well/bad, someone a favour
STEP 5
Grammar: Activity
with Answer
MAKE and DO
are two
action verbs frequently used in business.
Choose below the correct alternative for each sentence.
ANSWERS
1.
Last year we well,
despite the recession.
2.
We
a mistake by assuming that our products would sell well abroad.
3.
At Sunny Ltd. I'm in
charge of stock management. Who
that same
job in your company?
4.
We promise
our best to have that item for you by next week.
5.
Although that
company has almost the same name as ours, we have nothing
with them.
6.
You should
certain that your customers are always satisfied.
7.
In many cases, it
sense to stock original products that cannot be
found easily in
other shops.
8.
He
a living as sales manager for over 30 years and does not
plan to retire yet.
9.
Could you
me a favour and work the morning shift?
10.
workers redundant is never an easy task for a Personnel manager.
