1. MAKE AND DO Conversational Class Source: Business Spotlight 6/2007

2. Make • “Make” is often used in the sense of producing, creating or constructing something. The focus is on the result rather than the activity itself: • I’m making tea. Would you like some? • She lives in Hollywood and makes films. • He made a rocking horse for his grandson. • “Make” is also frequently used in connection with objects that refer to some form of spoken communication: • She made some very interesting comments. • I’ve got to go and make a quick phone call. • He’s always making excuses about having too much work.

3. Make • With many objects, including nouns referring to communication, “make” means “to perform the action described by the noun” make a complaint make a decision make an effort make an enquiries make an exception make a fuss make a mistake make a noise make a note make an offer make a plan make a progress make a promise make a suggestion

4. Do • The lexical verb “do” is often used in the sense of general activity and work: • What are you doing at the weekend? • They do business with a company in Taiwan. • I had to do an assessment test before the job interview. • She did her PhD at Harvard. • He rarely does his homework. • To talk about longer (work or leisure) activities, we often use “do” followed by –ing form. Note that this structure often includes a quantifier (“some”, “a bit of”, “a lot of”, etc.): • She does the cooking, but he does the washing-up. • I did a lot of reading over the holidays. • Did you do any sightseeing?

5. Do • In some phrases, “do” means “to clean or beautify” something: • do the dishes / the floors / the windows • do your face / hair / nails • Finally, remember these common, fixed phrases with “do” + object: • He was accused of war crimes but said he had only been doing his duty. • She retrained as a nurse, because she wanted to do good for others. • An occasional glass of wine won’t do any harm – just don’t overdo it!

6. EXERCISE • She ………. an excellent speech at the conference. I wish I could speak like that! • We’ve stopped ………. business with them. They just aren’t reliable. • I’m still thinking about that remark you ………. earlier. What did you mean exactly? • I’m afraid I won’t be able to join you. I’ve got too much work to ……….. • I’m ………. a cake for Brian’s retirement party. Can you pass me the eggs? • If you repair the computer yourself, you’ll ………. more harm than good!

7. Phrases with “make” • We’ll never make the deadline if we don’t hurry up! (= finish on time) • Your help has really made a difference. Thank you so much! • I’m sorry I made such a fool of myself. I’ll never drink another drop of alcohol! • He’s so unkind. He’s always making fun of her because she’s so shy. • His decision to sell the company has made headlines. • She’s very lonely. She finds it hard to make friends. • Parts of the old town were demolished to make way for the new motorway.

8. Phrases with “do” (informal spoken English) • What’s the use of car that does 120 miles an hour? (= drives at a maximum speed of) • I did ten years in the army. Now I’m ready for something new. (= served as a soldier) • He did time in prison for robbing a bank. (= served a prison sentence) • Sorry we don’t do warm meals, but we have a large selection of sandwiches. (offer) • Let’s do lunch next week, shall we? (= meet to have a lunch) • He drinks too much, but he doesn’t do drugs.

9. Confusing cases • You should make time for your family. (= plan so that you have time available) • He did time for robbery and assault. (= served a prison sentence) • I’m making a salad. (= preparing a salad) • Do they do salads in the cafeteria? (= sell salads) • He makes films (= works as a filmmaker) • Let’s do a film! (= meet to watch a film)

10. EXERCISE 2 • Match the expressions with their definitions. • Make a fool of yourself • Make way for something • Do lunch • Make a difference • Make headlines • Make room for something • Have a positive effect • Behave in a way that makes you seem stupid • Receive a lot of attention from the press • Meet for a midday meal