From French, the verb faire can be translated as either to make or to do in English. There are five rules to assist in choosing the correct meaning and some exceptions. The examples at the end of this topic must be memorised.

20.1 Usage:

A: as the verb to make when it means build/construct/create/produce/change/renovate:

e.g. I made a model train at school today.

Our mother makes the beds each morning.

B: as the verb to make when it means: to force/give orders/instruct/compel:

e.g. We made our friends buy us an ice cream.

The officer made the soldier march quickly.

C: as the verb to do when it describes an action without saying exactly what the action is:

e.g. I am doing my best at school.

My father did some work in the garden yesterday.

D: as the verb to do when the subject is work:

e.g. His wife does the housework in the afternoon.

My father usually does the cooking on Sunday.

E: as the auxiliary verb to do in the Present Simple and Past Simple Tenses of verbs:

e.g. She does think about me very much/ She doesn't think about me very much.

The elephant did damage many trees/ The elephant didn't damage many trees.

20.2 Important Examples:

Some examples when we use to make: to make arrangements; an attempt; a bed; a decision; enquiries; an excuse; an exception; an effort; a mistake; a noise; money; a suggestion, a telephone call, a profit.

Some examples when we use to do: to do your best; business; an exercise; good; harm; the shopping.

N.B. Normally, to make is used more often than to do.