Make OR Do?

The difference between 'make' and 'do' can cause some difficulties for ESL learners as it's not always easy to know when to use which. As a general rule, we use 'make' when we are talking about creating something (for example, make a cake, make a mistake, make a plan). 'Do' is used to express daily activities or jobs. Nothing physical is being created. The focus is on performing an action, activity, or task (for example, do homework, do the laundry, do the dishes). This is a general rule because there are always exceptions in English but it’s a starting point. Check on-line for interactive and printable practice for “make” and “do”.