This morning, I made myself a cup of coffee to get the day started, and now I have to do some teaching, which brings us to the topic of today: 'make' versus 'do'.

These two verbs are easily confused by beginner English speakers because in most languages these two verbs are combined and only one verb is used.

So, it's important to understand the difference between these two so that when you're speaking, you can sound more like a native.

So, what is the difference?

Let's start with 'make'.

'Make' is used for producing, uh, building, constructing, or creating something.

It also shows the origin of something or what material was used to make it.

For example, 'coffee is made from coffee beans', so coffee beans is what produces the coffee or what is the origin of the coffee.

'Her ring is made from gold.'

Gold is the material that was used to make her ring.

'Make' can also be used to 'produce an action or a reaction'.

'Onions will definitely make your eyes water', so the action that happens from cutting onions is that your eyes start to water.

'You make me happy.'

I am reacting to something you said or did.

We also use 'make' before nouns 'talking about plans or decisions'.

For example: 'We made arrangements to leave work early.'

'Have you made any plans for the weekend?'

'I need to make a decision about my career.'

We can also use it with 'nouns about speaking or certain noises'.

For example: 'She made a nice comment about my dress.'

That means she spoke to me and she complimented my dress.

'The baby sleeping is sleeping, shhh.'

'Don't make any noise.'

'Don't make a promise that you can't keep.'

That means don't say or speak something that you do not intend to follow through on.

'Make' is used for 'food, drinks, and other meals'.

For example: 'I need to start making dinner' or 'make breakfast' or 'make lunch'.

'She is making a cup of coffee, or 'make a cup of tea or hot chocolate.'

'He is making a sandwich.'

Finally, 'make is also used 'to force someone to do something'.

'My mom made me go to bed early', so my mom forced me to go to bed early.

'The teacher made the students memorize the verbs,' so the teacher forced the students.

Now, let's look at 'do'.

'Do' is used for 'work, jobs, and tasks'.

For example: 'Have you done your homework?'

'I need to do some housework.'

'I would not like to do her job.'

'Do' is also used for 'non-specific activities' when we're just speaking in general, and it's usually paired with words like 'thing', 'something', 'nothing', 'anything', 'everything', et cetera.

For example: 'Hurry up, I have things to do.'

'Don't just stand there, do something.'

'Is there anything I can do to help?'

You'll notice that in all these previous sentences, I did not specify what needed to be done or what should be done.

'Do' is also used to 'replace verbs' when the meaning is clear and obvious.

For example: 'Do I need to do my hair?'

In this example, it could mean, do I need to brush my hair or comb or fix my hair?

'I'll do the kitchen if you do the living room.'

Here, it could mean I'll clean the kitchen if you vacuum the living room.

'Do' is also use specifically with these words:

'Well', 'badly', 'good', 'bad', 'best', and 'worst'.

For example: 'I'm pleased I did well on my exam.'

Or: 'I'm disappointed, I did badly on my exam.'

Or: 'Ooh, I did bad with my diet over the holidays.'

'I will need to exercise.'

Or: 'I did good and ate healthy over the holidays.'

'Remember, just do your best in the race.'

'Of course, nobody wants to do their worst in the race.'

Okay, Cambly learners, it's time to practice.

I will give you some sentences with the verb missing, and you have to decide if it's 'do' or 'make'.

Are you ready?

Let's go.

Okay, first one.

She is going to [blank] a cake for his birthday.

That is correct.

Remember that we use 'make' when we talk about food or creating something.

Okay, number two.

He will [blank] anything for his mother.

That is correct.

Remember, we use 'do' for nonspecific activities, so he will do anything for his mother.

Number three.

You need to [blank[ the dishes.

Correct again.

You need to 'do' the dishes, because that is a chore or a task.

Okay, and the last one.

We need to [blank] a decision about the house.

Very good, excellent.

We need to 'make' a decision about the house.

We use 'make' for talking about plans and decisions.

Excellent, well done, Cambly learners.

Thumbs up.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Cambly, it is a platform where you can practice your speaking skills with friendly, native tutors like myself.

You can schedule a class from, uh, your laptop or your phone or any device.

You can schedule it any time, anywhere.

So, please feel free to schedule your next class with me, Lia, at the link below.

Thank you and goodbye.