Are you looking for a new and fun way to learn American English? Come hang out with Lindsay and Michelle from Boston and New York City and have fun while you improve your English listening skills! All Ears English is an English as a Second Language (ESL) podcast for intermediate to advanced learners around the world. We will show you how to use everyday vocabulary and natural idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs and how to make small talk in American English. We will also give you special tips on American culture, customs, etiquette, and how to speak with Americans as well as conversation and commentary on study tips, life in America and Boston, how to apply to university in the US, dating, travel, food and more. You'll get TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC help also from our IELTS and test expert Jessica Beck. This podcast is for adult students who are professionals and university students as well as ESL teachers. Join our community to learn to speak American English like a native! Connection NOT Perfection!
AEE 213: Do Yourself a Favor - Learn Make vs. Do in English
Come back to allearsenglish.com/213 for more info!
What’s the difference between do and make in English?
Do you make something, or do you do it?
Today, in #3 of our Top 15 Fixes, we talk about the difficulty of distinguishing when to use these two verbs!
Many English learners have difficulty using do and make, often because they are directly translating from their own language. But native English speakers make it even more difficult. Even though there are some basic rules for using these verbs, native speakers tend to break them.
Make usually means to create something, from the ground up. Some examples include:
- Making food, a drink, or anything requiring ingredients
- Making friends (creating friendships)
- Making the bed or table (putting things together)
- Making a phone call, or making mistakes
Do usually relates more to a responsibility, an action or a job. Some examples include:
- Doing dinner, coffee or drinks (something you do together, with others)
- Doing homework, or doing the dishes (doing a job or work)
- Doing someone a favor
- Doing your best
Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series:
- Episode 165: Listen or Hear?
- Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say?
- Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope
- Episode 177: Talking About Age in English
- Episode 181: Future Tense in English
- Episode 185: Interested or Interesting?
- Episode 189: Talking About the Past
- Episode 193: How to Borrow Money
- Episode 197: Who Pays for Lunch?
- Episode 201: Will vs. Going To
- Episode 205: Talking about People
- Episode 209: How much versus How many
What do you make?
What do you do?
Let us know in the comments section at allearsenglish.com/213