Make & Do

Many English learners find it hard to differentiate between make and do. However, if you learn the following rule it will be a lot clearer:

1.- You use "make" with nouns referring to:

Arrangements		Food & Drink		Speaking & Sounds		Travel
-		-
Appointment		Breakfast		Comment		Journey
Choice		A cup of tea		Noise		Tour
Decision		Some coffee		Point		Trip
Plan		A meal		Promise		Visit
		A sandwich		Speech
				Suggestion

I made the decision to go on holiday in July

This morning I made myself a sandwich to eat at lunchtime

My boss made a comment about the way I dress

We'll make a short trip to the beech if we have time

Some common expressions with "make":

To make friends (with) / To make a mistake / To make a difference / To make some money / To be made of / Two and two make four / To make a contract / To make a good footballer / To make happy (angry, sad, etc.)

2.- You use "do" with "-ing forms" and with words in relation to work.

I do the ironing every Wednesday

He does all the shopping and I do the washing

I have a lot of work to do

You often use "do" with a noun instead of another verb if the meaning is clear:

You must do your hair = You must brush your hair

Have you done the dishes yet? = Have you washed the dishes yet?

Some common expressions with "do":

To do well (badly, better, worse) / To do your homework / To do an exercise

Tell & Say

Remember the following rule:

To tell somebody something

To say something to somebody

"Tell": If you say who you are talking to

I told him that I couldn't go to the concert

She told me she wanted to cut her hair

Otherwise we use "say":

Karren said that she liked cats

We said goodbye to the postman