SKILL 58: DISTINGISH MAKE AND DO STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

LONGMAN COMPLETE COURSE FOR THE TOEFL TEST

STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

SKILL 58: DISTINGUISH MAKE AND DO

Make and do can be confused in English because their meanings are so similar. Since the difference between make and do is tested on the TOEFL test, you should learn to distinguish them.

Make often has the idea of creating or constructing. The following expressions show some of the possible uses of make.

She likes to make her own clothes.

If you make a mistake, you should correct it.

Do often has the idea of completing or performing. The following expressions show some of the possible uses of do:

This morning she did  all the dishes.

The students are doing the assignments.

These are only some of the uses of make and do. Many uses of make and do are idiomatic and therefore difficult to classify.

EXERCISE 58: Each of the following sentences contains make or do. Circle make or do. Draw arrows to the nouns that complete the expressions. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

____________	3	No matter what job she has, she always makes her best.
____________	4	The runner did a strong effort to increase her speed in the mile race.
____________	5	It is comforting to think that your work can make a difference.
____________	6	His grade was not very good because he had not done his homework.
____________	7	In this job you will make more money than in your previous job.
____________	8	He was unable to do dinner because no one had done the lunch dishes.
____________	9	It is a pleasure to work with someone who always makes the right thing.
____________	10	If you make a good impression at your job interview, you will get the job.

ANSWER KEY

1	I	(did should be made)
2	C
3	I	(makes should be does)
4	I	(did should be made)
5	C
6	C
7	C
8	I	(do should be make)
9	I	(makes should be does)
10	C