Grammar: Make and Do / Tell and Say

Make and 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:

• 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 and 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