Improve Your English Grammar - When to Use Make vs Do

Summary

In this educational video, Anna from English Like a Native provides a clear guide on the usage of 'make' and 'do' in English. She explains the various functions of 'do', including forming questions, negations, and emphasizing actions. Anna then contrasts 'do' with 'make', highlighting that 'make' is often used for creating or producing results, while 'do' is more about carrying out a process. She offers helpful tips on when to use each verb by examining collocations with words like 'favor', 'business', and 'promise'. The video also touches on common phrases and gray areas, encouraging viewers to consult a worksheet provided for further understanding. With a light-hearted poem and a friendly tone, Anna aims to make the learning process both enjoyable and memorable.

Takeaways

• 📚 'Do' is a versatile auxiliary verb used for forming questions, negations, and emphasis, as well as a common action verb.
• ❓ 'Do' can be used in elliptical sentences, as a question tag, to express adequacy, and to avoid repetition.
• 🗣️ 'Make' is often used to talk about results, such as creating, constructing, or producing something.
• 💼 'Make' can also imply forcing someone to do something, causing a reaction, or performing an action that results in a change.
• 🔄 The choice between 'do' and 'make' can depend on the collocation with specific words like 'favor', 'suggestion', 'business', and 'promise'.
• 🤔 When actions are associated with producing results, 'make' is typically used, while 'do' is used for carrying out a process.
• 🎓 'Do' is the correct verb to use with activities like 'business', 'exercise', 'yoga', and 'gardening'.
• 🎨 There are exceptions and gray areas where both 'do' and 'make' can be used, such as in the context of art or cooking.
• 👩‍🎤 'Make music' is used when musicians perform in a way that creates a specific type of sound or outcome.
• 📘 'Do' and 'make' can be interchangeable in educational contexts, such as 'do subjects' or 'do homework'.
• 🏡 In casual or domestic settings, 'do' is often used to allocate tasks or roles without needing precision, like 'do the dishes' or 'do the laundry'.
• 📝 The script also mentions that 'make do' is a phrase that means to manage or cope with what one already has.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video presented by Anna from English, like a native dot Co dot UK?

The main purpose of the video is to clarify when to use 'make' and when to use 'do' in the English language and to provide a worksheet to help viewers remember the lesson.

What are some of the functions of the word 'do' as explained in the video?

The word 'do' serves several functions such as being used in ellipses, for emphasis, to mark tenses, form negations and questions, express whether something is enough or acceptable, and as a common and useful verb in its own right.

How does the video differentiate between the use of 'do' and 'make'?

The video differentiates by stating that 'do' is generally concerned with carrying out a process, while 'make' is often used to talk about results, such as creating, constructing, or producing something.

What is the link provided in the video for those who want to access the worksheet?

The link to the worksheet is provided in the description below the video.

Can you give an example of how 'do' is used to express emphasis in the video?

An example of 'do' used for emphasis in the video is 'Oh Emily, I do like your new shoes.'

What is the explanation for using 'make' when talking about results?

The explanation is that 'make' is used when the intention is to create, construct, or produce something, which implies a result or an outcome.

How does the video suggest we remember the difference between using 'make' and 'do' with certain words?

The video suggests that we remember the collocation of words with 'make' or 'do', such as making suggestions, promises, offers, efforts, and making money and friends, as these actions are intended to produce results.

What are some examples of activities where 'do' is the correct verb to use according to the video?

Examples given in the video include doing someone a favor, doing business, doing a course, doing exercise, doing yoga, doing crosswords, and doing gardening.

How does the video address the potential gray areas in choosing between 'make' and 'do'?

The video suggests that in gray areas, it's often better to use more specific words, such as drawing pictures, painting portraits, creating installations, cooking, frying, or grilling food, and combing, cutting, or styling hair.

What is the advice given in the video for situations where precision is not as important as the allocation of roles or the taking of action?

The advice is to use 'do' instead of being precise, as it simplifies communication and focuses on the action or task分配.

What is the phrase 'make do' explained in the video and what does it mean?

The phrase 'make do' explained in the video means to manage or cope with what you already have.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Understanding 'Make' and 'Do'

Anna from English Like a Native introduces a lesson on the correct usage of 'make' and 'do'. She explains the various functions of 'do', including its use as a substitute verb, for emphasis, to form questions and negations, and to express whether something is enough or acceptable. Anna also discusses 'do' as a common verb for taking unspecified action, leading to harm or good, and expressing the completion of a task. The video aims to clarify when to use 'make', which is often about creating or producing results, versus 'do', which is about carrying out a process. She provides a worksheet for reference and suggests that the distinction between the two verbs can be understood through their collocations with other words like 'favor', 'suggestion', 'business', 'friends', 'effort', 'promise', 'a course', 'a bet', and 'a sense'.

05:00

🤔 Collocation and Contextual Usage of 'Make' and 'Do'

In the second paragraph, Anna delves deeper into the nuances of using 'make' and 'do'. She explains that 'make' is used for creating something new or causing a transformation, while 'do' is for actions and processes. Anna emphasizes the importance of collocation, stating that certain verbs naturally pair with either 'make' or 'do'. She also addresses potential gray areas, such as making or doing art, and suggests using more specific verbs to avoid confusion. Anna mentions that sometimes the choice between 'make' and 'do' is not just about influencing a result but about the correct verb that collocates with the action. She provides examples of set phrases featuring 'do' and 'make' and ends with a poem that encapsulates the lesson, encouraging viewers to consult the provided guide to improve their understanding of these verbs.

Keywords

💡make

The term 'make' in the context of the video refers to creating, constructing, or producing something. It is used to discuss the creation of tangible results, such as making a cake for a party, or the production of intangible outcomes, like making someone laugh. The video emphasizes the distinction between 'make' and 'do', highlighting 'make' as the verb to use when talking about results or changes brought about by actions.

💡do

The verb 'do' is presented as a versatile and common action word with several functions, including forming questions, negations, and expressing whether something is sufficient or acceptable. 'Do' is used to talk about performing tasks or actions without necessarily focusing on the result, as seen in phrases like 'do my homework' or 'do the veg'. It is contrasted with 'make' to illustrate the difference between carrying out a process and achieving a result.

💡collocation

Collocation refers to the way words are often found together in language. In the video, collocation is used to explain when to use 'make' versus 'do'. Certain words and phrases collocate more naturally with 'make', such as 'make suggestions' or 'make a decision', indicating the creation of an outcome, while others pair with 'do', like 'do a course' or 'do exercise', which involve a process.

💡worksheet

A worksheet is a tool used for learning and practice, often consisting of exercises or tasks to be completed. In the video, the speaker mentions creating a worksheet to help viewers remember the lesson on the usage of 'make' and 'do'. This worksheet serves as a practical aid to reinforce the concepts discussed in the video.

💡emphasis

Emphasis is the act of highlighting or stressing a particular point. In the script, 'do' is used for emphasis, as in 'I do like your new shoes', where 'do' is used to stress the speaker's genuine liking of the shoes. This usage of 'do' is part of its various functions to add intensity or focus to a statement.

💡auxiliary

An auxiliary verb, also known as a helping verb, is used to form tenses, moods, voices, and to provide more information about the main verb in a sentence. In the video, 'do' serves as an auxiliary to form questions and negations, as seen in examples like 'Did you like the cake?' and 'I don't feel very well today'.

💡process

A process refers to a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end. The video script uses 'do' in the context of carrying out a process, such as 'doing homework' or 'doing exercise'. The focus here is on the action itself rather than the outcome, which is why 'do' is the appropriate verb in these scenarios.

💡result

A result is the outcome or effect of an action or process. The video contrasts 'do' with 'make' by highlighting that 'make' is often used to talk about results, such as creating something new or causing a change. For example, 'I'm going to make a cake for the party' emphasizes the creation of a tangible result.

💡question tags

Question tags are short questions added at the end of statements to confirm or check information. In the script, 'do' is used in question tags like 'Don't you?' and 'Does he?', which serve to turn a statement into a question or to seek agreement from the listener.

💡set phrases

Set phrases are fixed expressions that are used in particular situations and have specific meanings. The video mentions 'make do' as an example of a set phrase, which means to manage or cope with what one already has. The speaker also promises to provide more such phrases in another video, indicating their importance in language usage.

Highlights

Introduction to the video and the worksheet provided to help distinguish between using 'make' and 'do'.

Explanation of 'do' as a versatile verb with multiple functions including substitution, emphasis, tense marking, and forming questions and negations.

Use of 'do' in expressing whether something is enough or acceptable, and in question tags.

'Do' as a common and useful verb in its own right, with meanings such as taking unspecified action and avoiding repetition.

Differentiation between 'do' and 'make' where 'do' is concerned with carrying out a process and 'make' with creating or producing results.

Collocation rules for 'make' and 'do' with words like favor, suggestion, business, friends, effort, promise, a course, a bet, and a sense.

The concept of doing someone a favor as an action of doing good, contrasting with the idea of making something.

Discussion on the use of 'do' in activities like business, exercise, yoga, crosswords, and gardening, which are processes rather than results.

Clarification on the use of 'make' in making deals and profits, which are considered real results of actions.

The nuance of doing a course versus making a bet, where the latter implies a transformation in one's financial situation.

The idea that 'do' is used with certain actions because it is the correct verb to collocate with them, similar to how 'write' or 'read' collocates with 'book'.

The potential gray areas in choosing between 'make' and 'do', such as making art or doing fish and chips.

Suggestion to use more specific words to avoid mistakes when the choice between 'make' and 'do' is unclear.

The notion that sometimes 'make' and 'do' can be used interchangeably without losing the intended meaning.

Highlighting the importance of action over precision in certain situations, like分配tasks in household chores.

Introduction of set phrases featuring 'do' and 'make', with a promise to include more in a future video.

A poem summarizing the differences between 'make' and 'do', emphasizing their unique uses and the importance of choosing the right verb.

Closing remarks with an invitation to consult the provided guide for better understanding of 'make' and 'do'.

Transcripts

oh

hi I just made a cup of tea to drink

before I make this video or should I say

do this video

hello everyone Anna here from English

like a native dot Co dot UK today I'm

going to make it easier to choose when

to use make and when to use do and I've

made a useful worksheet to help you to

remember everything in this lesson the

link is in the description below to

start let's do a quick refresher first

do do has several functions such as use

in ellipses which is substitution hey do

you want to go to the cinema tonight uh

yes I do and using emphasis oh Emily I

do like your new shoes of course do can

be conjugated to Mark tenses too we can

form negations in the present and the

past

I don't feel very well today because I

didn't sleep much last night and we

formed questions using do as an

auxiliary there are closed questions did

you like the cake do you know where my

keys are and object questions why do

does your cousin live why did you open

the window not only that do can also be

used to express whether something is

enough or acceptable I need to take some

cash out for Christmas presents will a

hundred pounds do then there are

question tags you know about them don't

you

um he doesn't eat meat does he as well

as these varied and vital functions do

is also an extremely common and useful

verb in its own right with meanings such

as taking unspecified action what are

you going to do about the snails in the

garden talking generally about taking

action uh I'm not sure what I have to do

avoiding repetition if you're going to

practice the violin then please do it

when I'm out leading to harm or good

going for a walk always does your good

degree of effect or Improvement my

English teacher has done a lot to help

me expressing completion of a task how's

that new video going Anna I've done it

and don't forget

orders containing negations do in its

various forms appears and reappears

throughout the speech and writing of

everyone who uses English so far I

haven't needed to use make at all but

I'm not done yet we also use do when

talking about performing a task oh I

need to do my homework have you fixed

that hinge yet I'm doing it now now

while do is generally concerned with

carrying out a process make is very

often used to talk about results meaning

to create construct or produce something

I'm going to make a cake for the party

to force someone to do something my boss

made me work late to cause a reaction

from someone

that show always makes me laugh to cause

something to happen the rain makes the

roads slippery to perform an action that

results in a change or transformation

she made a decision to quit her job so

how can we know when to use one and not

the other when we try to collocate with

words like favor suggestion business

friends effort promise a course a bet

sense well I've done some research and

I'd like to share the discoveries that I

have made we make suggestions promises

offers and the like we make these

efforts with the intention of producing

results likewise we make money and

Friends our actions produce them so to

speak so why do we do favors for people

and do business surely they produce

results too well think of it like this

if you do someone a favor you're doing

them good if you want to recite a poem

well you want to do it justice you don't

want to do anyone a disservice and what

about business well we do activities we

do exercise we do yoga we do crosswords

and gardening just as we do business of

course we make deals and we try to make

profits these are the Real Results you

do a course because there is a process

involved you make a bet because you want

a transformation in your financial

situation does that make sense sometimes

it's not about whether we are trying to

influence the result of something it's

simply that do is the correct verb that

collocates with the action in the same

way that write or read collocates with

book and drive collocates with Carr do

collage cakes with exercise or homework

there isn't always just one answer

either musicians play instruments but

when they do it in a certain way we can

say they make music at school we do

subjects so it follows that we also do

the subject music I did music at school

did you oh I had a busy day at College I

did four hours of music and three hours

of French and I made the decision to do

my homework tomorrow morning there are a

few potential gray areas do we make art

or do it fish and chips for dinner do we

make it or do we do it I want to do my

hair in a different way clearly there

will be a change here

we could avoid making mistakes by

remembering that often there are more

specific words that could be used we

could draw pictures paint portraits

create installations with our fish we

can cook fry or grill it with my hair I

could comb cut or style it you should

all keep in mind that sometimes it's not

just a choice between make or do these

two words get enough attention sometimes

you can make do without them I do agree

though that when we talk about the parts

of an Endeavor that has many elements we

can quickly use do instead of having to

be precise remember that my boss and her

husband are coming for dinner tonight

okay I'll do the veg if you do the meat

we better tidy up a bit too you just

have to do the living room I did the

bathroom yesterday here the Precision is

not as important as the allocation of

roles or The Taking of action now don't

make a fuss but there are also a myriad

of set phrases featuring do and make

some of these phrases that are in

frequent use might not immediately make

sense like the phrase make do which

means to manage or cope with what you

already have I'll put the rest of these

phrases in another video

and Link it below right now I could do

with another cup of tea so you'll have

to make do with this little poem make

and do oh what a pair there are two

words that we must compare make is for

creating something new like a cake or a

dress or a shoe do is for actions that

we take for talking about results use

make made a mistake you'll need to redo

but doing a mistake not something we do

make a new plan do all your tasks just

do something and make it fast Make some

noise do a dance both can be fun given

the chance make a choice do your best

with these two consult the guide that

I've made for you when you know them

well and say them aloud it'll do you

good and make me proud thank you for

watching until next time take care and

goodbye