Vocabulary: collocations with make and do The basic meaning of make is about producing something and the basic

meaning of do is about performing an action, then the collocations on this page may seem more logical.

Make
make arrangements for make a change / changes make a choice make a comment / comments make a contribution to make a decision make an effort make an excuse make friends make an improvement make a mistake make a phone calf make progress The school can make arrangements for pupils with special needs. The new manager is planning to make some changes. Jill had to make a choice between her career and her family. Would anyone like to make any comments on the talk? She made a useful contribution to the discussion. I'm glad it's you who has to make the decision, not me. Joe is really making an effort with his maths this term. I'm too tired to go out tonight. Let's make an excuse and stay at home. Karen is very good at making friends. Repainting the room has really made an improvement. They've made a mistake in our bill. I've got to make some phone calls before dinner. Harriet is making progress with all her schoolwork.

Do do your best do damage do an experiment do exercises do someone a good turn / do someone a favour do harm do your hair do your homework do the ironing/shopping/washing do some work We'll do some work on our project and then we'll go to the cinema. All that matters in the exam is to do your best. The storm did some damage to our roof. We are doing an experiment to test how the metal reacts with water. We'll do some exercises practising these collocations tomorrow. Scouts and guides are supposed to do someone a good turn every day. Scouts and guides are supposed to do someone a good t urn every day. Changing the rules may do more harm than good. No, I'm not ready. 1 haven't done my hair yet. My son has to do his homework straight after school. I'll do the washing if you do the ironing.

Exercices: collocations with make and do A Use a collocation with make and a noun instead of the underlined words in each of these conversations. 1. Miriam: The bill says we've had three desserts. We only had two. Rosa: The waiter must have been mistaken. 2. Kim: It's so difficult. Should I take the job or not? Todd: I know it's difficult. But you have to decide one way or the other. 3. Jane: Can you and Brian come to dinner on Saturday? Jill: Yes, we'll have to arrange to get a babysitter, but it should be OK. 4. Brona: Did you hear about the air traffic controllers' strike in the USA? Aaron: Yes. We had to change our travel itinerary because of it. 5. Pete: Can I have chips and rice with my lunch? Clare: No, you have to choose, chips or rice, but not both. 6. Fran: Do you intend to speak at the meeting? Gloria: Yes, I hope I can contribute to the debate. B 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Choose the correct collocation, do or make. Did the fire do / make much damage to the factory? I hate doing I making my homework at the last minute. You must do I make an effort to work harder. Did you do I make any work at the weekend? We are trying to do I make improvements to the system for registering. Do you think it would do I make any harm if I cut some leaves off this plant?

Complete the sentences with a collocation using make or do. Use each word/phrase once only. (Be careful with the tense!) her best 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. an effort a contribution a choice progress without

I know you dont like her, but please _______________ to be polite. She promised to _______________ to get higher grades. Heres your coffee but I dont have any sugar so youll have to ______________. All her teachers are pleased with my little niece because she is ______________ with all her schoolwork. She ________________ to the discussion with her interesting ideas. All the food in the menu looks delicious; I cant _______________. Match the sentences in column A with a meaningful ending in column B.

A 1. Thank you for your honesty. You did 2. My father got very angry when he noticed that the waiter made 3. Old people should do 4. I hate doing 5. It tastes a bit strange. When was the last time you made

B a. my homework at the last minute. b. exercise to stay healthy. c. a cake? d. a mistake in our bill. e. the right thing by telling me the truth.