When we usedoandmakewith noun phrases,dofocuses on the process of acting or performing something,makeemphasises more the product or outcome of anaction:
When I was[action]doingthe calculations, I[outcome]madetwo mistakes.
I[action]didsome work for her last summer; I[outcome]madea pond in her garden.
Examples of nouns used withdoandmake
Nouns which combine withdo
activity | damage | favour | job | task |
business | drawing | gardening | laundry | test |
cleaning | duty | harm | one’s best | washing (up) |
cooking | exam(ination) | homework | painting | work |
course | exercise | ironing | shopping |
Idothe shopping on Fridays usually.
Could youdoa job for me next week?
Whodoesthe cooking in your house?
Nouns which combine withmake
apology | coffee | excuse | love | offer | remark |
assumption | comment | friends | lunch | phone call | sound |
bed | complaint | guess | mess | plan | soup |
breakfast | dinner | law | mistake | profit | speech |
cake | effort | list | money | progress | statement |
change | error | loss | noise | promise | tea |
Theymademe an interesting offer of a job in Warsaw.
Not many building firms willmakea profit this year.
I have tomakea phone call.
See also:
Doas a main verb
Make
Collocation