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Make vs Do — Why French Speakers Always Mix Them
Why this is so hard
French has faire for both. English splits them. There's a general pattern, but many exceptions — and the exceptions are the ones you use every day at work.
The general pattern
MAKE = create / produce / cause
You make something that didn't exist before. Make a plan, make a decision, make a mistake, make progress, make money, make a phone call, make an effort, make a suggestion.
You make something that didn't exist before. Make a plan, make a decision, make a mistake, make progress, make money, make a phone call, make an effort, make a suggestion.
DO = perform / complete / carry out
You do a task or activity. Do work, do business, do research, do a favour, do your best, do the dishes, do an exercise, do a report.
You do a task or activity. Do work, do business, do research, do a favour, do your best, do the dishes, do an exercise, do a report.
The work essentials
MAKE: make a decision, make a presentation, make a deal, make progress, make a mistake, make an appointment, make a profit/loss, make a complaint, make changes, make a contribution
DO: do business, do research, do a report, do a deal (also make a deal — both work), do your best, do overtime, do a course, do a favour, do the accounts, do an internship
The trick that helps
Make often has a visible result — something new exists after you make it. You make a cake (now there's a cake). You make a decision (now there's a decision).
Do often has no visible product — it's an activity. You do research (no single object produced). You do your best (no product, just effort).
Common mistakes
"I need to do a decision" → "make a decision.""We make business together" → "do business.""She did a mistake" → "made a mistake.""Can you make me a favour?" → "do me a favour."
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