Generally, do focuses on the process of acting or performing something, while make focuses on the outcome of an action.
Examples
When I was doing (= action) the calculations, I made (= outcome) three mistakes.
When I did (= action) some work for my mother last spring, I made (= outcome) a pond in her garden.
We use do when someone is working or performing tasks that do not produce a physical object:
Can you help me do my homework?
She has to do her job.
He’s doing exercises.
We use do when we talk about activities in general:
Do you want to do something on Friday?
I’m not doing anything on Monday!
She has done nothing all day.
We use make when we create or construct something:
Did you really make these cups?
This wine is made in Spain.
She made a cake.
Food and meals are usually described using make:
Will you make a cake for Bob’s birthday?
I’m making lunch.
He’s making tea right now.
Unfortunately, there are many fixed expressions with make and do that do not follow any useful rules. You just have to learn them. Some examples:
Do | |
do business | do well |
do the dishes | do your best |
do a favour | do your duty |
do good | do your hair |
do harm | do your nails |
do research | do your worst |
Make | |
make amends | make a phone call |
make believe | make a point |
make a mess | make a profit |
make a mistake | make a promise |
make money | make a visit |
make a move | make your bed |