Collocations with MAKE and DO by level
“Make” and “do” sometimes have differences in meaning such as “make” meaning “produce” and “do” going with chores, but there are so many exceptions that it is often better just to learn them off by heart. This list gives the most important ones to teach and learn at each level from A1 to C1/C2.
Elementary collocations with make and do
- do homework/ some homework/ an assignment
- do judo
- do karate
- do overtime
- do nothing
- do the cleaning
- do the dishes/ the washing up
- do the ironing
- do the laundry/ the washing
- do the shopping
- do well (in)
- make a cup of tea/ coffee/…
- make a mistake
- make a phone call/ a call
- make a sandwich
- make a speech
- make an omelette
- make breakfast/ lunch/ dinner
- make homemade…
Pre-intermediate collocations with make and do
- do a bad job
- do a course
- do a good job
- do aerobics
- do badly (in)
- do good
- do housework/ some housework/ the housework
- do martial arts
- do something
- do your best/ what you can
- do your make up
- make a complaint
- make a decision
- make a joke
- make a list
- make a promise
- make a reservation/ a booking
- make a suggestion
- make an arrangement
- make an offer
- make friends
- make sense/ make no sense
- make sure
- make the bed/ your bed
Intermediate collocations with make and do
- do a degree/ an undergraduate degree
- do a terrible job
- do a great job
- do the hoovering
- do a PhD/ a doctorate
- do an MA
- do an MBA
- do research/ some research
- do weight training
- do your chores
- do your nails
- make a choice
- make a good impression
- make a noise/ a sound
- make a prediction
- make a profit
- make a success of
- make an effort
- make an excuse
- make money
- make plans
- make progress
- make the right choice
- make up your mind
- make your own…
Upper-intermediate collocations with make and do
- do a postgraduate degree
- do harm
- do some work on…
- do… a favour/ a big favour
- do business with
- do… for a living
- do the accounts/ the books
- do the right thing
- do the dusting
- do up (your shoelaces/ seatbelt)
- do without
- make a bet
- make a comment
- make a date
- make a demand
- make a difference (in the world/ your field)
- make a discovery
- make a fortune
- make a living
- make a loss
- make a mess (of)
- make an attempt
- make an exception
- make fun of
- make no difference
- make peace
- make people redundant
- make the most of…
- make time for
Advanced collocations with make and do
- do away with
- do over
- do the dirty on
- do the absolute minimum
- do up
- do your hair
- make a confession
- make a fuss
- make a killing
- make a move
- make a pass at
- make a point
- make an appearance
- make an observation
- make my day
- make myself clear/ make my meaning clear
- make off with
- make out (with)
- make the best of a bad job
- make up (with)
- make up for (lost time)
- make war