Make vs Do

The essential make/do distinction that confuses every English learner

Introducción

"Make" y "do" son dos de los verbos más confusos para quienes aprenden inglés, porque la elección entre ellos se basa casi completamente en la colocación, no en la lógica. ¿Por qué decimos "make a mistake" pero "do homework"? ¿Por qué "make a decision" pero "do business"? No hay regla — simplemente hay que aprenderlos.

En español tenemos algo parecido: ¿por qué "hacemos" la tarea pero "tomamos" una decisión? Son combinaciones que se aprenden con la práctica. Este capítulo ataca la distinción make vs do de frente con las colocaciones más comunes de cada verbo.

Temas

Todos los Colocaciones en inglés en este capítulo (24)

• make a mistake To do something wrong or incorrect
• make an effort To try hard to do something
• make an appointment To arrange a scheduled meeting or visit
• make a complaint To formally express dissatisfaction about something
• make a suggestion To propose an idea or plan for others to consider
• make a promise To commit to doing something or guarantee something will happen
• make an excuse To give a reason (often false) for not doing something
• make a phone call To telephone someone
• make money To earn or generate income
• make a mess To create disorder or leave things untidy
• make arrangements To organise or plan the details of something
• make a difference To have a significant effect or impact on something
• do housework To perform cleaning and maintenance tasks around the home
• do the dishes To wash the plates, cups, and cutlery after a meal
• do the laundry To wash clothes and linen
• do a favour To help someone by doing something kind for them
• do exercise To perform physical activity to stay fit and healthy
• do business To engage in commercial transactions or trade with someone
• do damage To cause harm or destruction to something
• do your best To try as hard as you possibly can
• do an experiment To carry out a scientific test to discover or prove something
• do a course To study or complete an educational programme
• do well To perform successfully or achieve good results
• do badly To perform poorly or achieve bad results