Joy English
Joy English

B2 Vocabulary

B2Collocations15 min

Collocations with make and do

Learn common fixed phrases with make and do, such as make progress, make sense, do research and do someone a favour.

Make and do are two of the most common verbs in English, and learners often mix them up. Native speakers do not choose between them by logic each time; they use fixed combinations called collocations. Learning these phrases as complete units will make your English sound far more natural.

make a decisionphrase
decide something after thinking about itWe need to make a decision about the venue by Friday.
make an effortphrase
try hard to do something, especially something difficultKofi made an effort to speak only English during the conference.
make progressphrase
improve or move closer to a goalRavi has made great progress with the piano this year.
make a complaintphrase
tell someone formally that you are not satisfiedSeveral guests made a complaint about the noise from the kitchen.
make sensephrase
be easy to understand, or be a reasonable thing to doYour explanation makes sense now that I've seen the diagram.
make arrangementsphrase
plan and organise the details of somethingCould you make arrangements for the visitors' transport from the station?
make a differencephrase
have an effect, usually a positive oneSmall changes to your sleep routine can make a big difference.
do researchphrase
study a subject carefully to discover new factsAiko is doing research into how bees communicate.
do your bestphrase
try as hard as you canJust do your best; nobody expects a perfect score.
do damagephrase
cause harm to somethingThe storm did serious damage to the harbour.
do someone a favourphrase
help someone in a way they have askedCould you do me a favour and water my plants this week?
do the choresphrase
do the regular jobs in a home, such as cleaning and washing upIn our flat, everyone does the chores on Saturday morning.

Exercise 1 of 2

Make or do?

Choose the verb that completes the collocation.

  1. Could you _____ me a favour and pick up my parcel from the post office?

  2. Scientists at the university are _____ research into sleep and memory.

  3. I've read this paragraph three times and it still doesn't _____ sense.

  4. The flood _____ serious damage to farms along the river.

  5. If you aren't happy with the service, you can _____ a complaint to the manager.

  6. What does make a difference mean?

  7. She has _____ excellent progress since she joined the course.

  8. I _____ a silly mistake in the last question of the test.

0 of 8 answered

Exercise 2 of 2

Complete the collocation

Type the noun that completes each phrase. Use each word once. Use: arrangements, best, chores, decision, difference, effort, research.

  1. I know the exam is hard, but just do your and don't panic.

  2. Before the trip, Mina made all the travel : flights, hotels and a hire car.

  3. Turning off one light may seem small, but if everyone does it, it makes a real .

  4. We still haven't made a about which flat to rent.

  5. At the weekend my teenage son does most of the household , such as vacuuming and washing up.

  6. Professor Adeyemi has done on coral reefs for over twenty years.

  7. Lena is shy, but she made a real to talk to the new students.

0 of 7 answered

Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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