Do or Make?

written by Bill Teach

You can do it! You will make it!

This is for you Vera Randa. Thank you very much for your suggestion.

Do or Make. This is a subject that haunts us Brazilians.  I hope this article will elucidate it a little.

`Do` refers to performing an action, executing something. If you can replace it with another verb, then it is most likely to be the right one, though it is not a rule.

For example:

• What do you do on weekends? – I sleep.
• I do my dishes every night before my usual nightcap / I wash my dishes every night before my nightcap.
• Let’s do lunch one of these days /  Let’s have lunch one of these days.

When it regards performing an action, it can also have the sense of completion, succeeding.

• I did my project last night. (Meaning: I finished)
• I will do my homework tomorrow. (Meaning: I will finish it tomorrow).
• I can do it. ( I can succeed)

It can also be used for saying that one takes part in an activity.

• I do Karate once a week and lift weights every other day.
• I do my meditation every morning.

  

In general  `Make` has the sense of production, transformation, preparation. 

• I make my bed in the morning. (preparation)
• Would you care for some coffee? I have just made it. (preparation/production)
• This tea is made in Malaysia. (production).
• This yogurt is made from goat milk. (transformation)
• I want to make the world a better place. (transformation)

Make has also the meaning of ‘forcing’.

• He made me eat that.
• They made us wear those weird clothes as a college prank.

When associated with a noun such as attempt, progress, mistake, decision, sound, noise, change, etc, it can have the meaning of performing.

• She has made her decision. She is staying.
• I made some changes in the last posting.
• She made a mistake by telling him her secret.

Subtleties

• I made it! (I was able to finish, arrive or deliver on time)
• I did it! (I successfully accomplished it)

• Her visit did me good! (Her visit was beneficial)
• Her visit made me feel good. (Her visit was pleasant, or even boosted my feeling)

• I did this for you! (An action, as a favor)
• I made this for you! (Crafted something: cake, sweater, etc. as a gift)

There are many other expressions with both DO and MAKE which can be easily found in good dictionaries. In my opinion, the best way to start feeling comfortable with them is to always visualize them within a context as fixed expressions.