Page 65 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

D o a n d m a k e
make
Do
and

1 We often use do with certain nouns to describe activities, or things that have an effect on people:
We often use do with certain nouns to describe activities, or things that have an effect on people:
homework.
my
do
-I
up
have
to
• ¢ I can't wash up -I have to do my homework.
I can't wash
• ¢« The campaign may have done more harm than good.
The campaign may have done more farm than good.
» Other nouns commonly used with do include business, damage, (an) exercise, (somebody) a
»Other nouns commonly used with do include business, damage, (an) exercise, (somebody) a
»favour, (no) good (or not (do) any good), housework, (somebody) an injury, a job, research.
¥ eavour, (no) good (or not (do) any good), housework, (somebody) an injury, a job, research.
use
informal
instead
do
of another verb to
talk about certain jobs:
English, we can
In
In informal English, we can use do instead of another verb to talk about certain jobs:
• * Can you do the shoes before the children go to school? (= clean the shoes)
Can you do the shoes before the children go to school? (= clean the shoes)
(= comb/brush your hair)
Aren't you going to do your hair? It looks untidy.
• « Aren't you going to do your hair? It looks untidy. (= comb/brush your hair)
We can also use do instead of, for example: arrange (flowers), cook or make (a curry), cut (nails,
We can also use do instead of, for example: arrange (flowers), cook or make (a curry), cut (nails,
hair), make (beds), tidy (a cupboard, a desk, a garden).
hair), make (beds), tidy (a cupboard, a desk, a garden).
or
general
indefinite rather than particular
talk
use
activities:
do when we
about
also
We
We also use do when we talk about general or indefinite rather than particular activities:
I can't get it to work.
• ¢ I think David has done something to the computer. I can't get it to work.
I think David has done something to the computer.
• ¢ Did you do anything about the broken window this morning?
Did you do anything about the broken window this morning?
We sometimes specify particular actions after first introducing the actions in general with do:
We sometimes specify particular actions after first introducing the actions in general with do:
I did a huge amount yesterday. I finished the report, I ordered some new textbooks...
• ¢ I did a huge amount yesterday. I finished the report, I ordered some new textbooks...
We use do with an -ing form as a noun when we talk about jobs and leisure activities. A word or
We use do with an -ing form as a noun when we talk about jobs and leisure activities. A word or
phrase such as the, some, a bit of, a lot of, etc. is usually used before the noun:
phrase such as the, some, a bit of, a lot of, etc. is usually used before the noun:
the ironing while I'm watching TV.
I normally do
• ¢ I normally do the ironing while I'm watching TV.
He's hoping to do a bit ofskiing while he's visiting Bernard in Austria.
• ¢ He's hoping to doa bit of skiing while he's visiting Bernard in Austria.
We also use do to talk about cleaning, cooking, gardening, shopping, washing (up).
We also use do to talk about cleaning, cooking, gardening, shopping, washing (up).
Compare:
Compare:
I'm going to do some painting.
and
I'm going to paint.
• ¢ I'm going to paint. and • ° I'm going to do some painting. ar
some books,
some book reading.)
(but not I'm going to do
• * I'm going to read some books. (but not I'm going to do some book reading.)
I'm going to read
Normally, if there is an object (e.g. 'some books') after the verb, we can't make a sentence
Normally, if there is an object (e.g. 'some books') after the verb, we can't make a sentence
a similar meaning with do ... -ing. However, we can talk in this way about bird watching,
with a similar meaning with do ... -ing. However, we can talk in this way about bird watching,
with
note-taking, sightseeing (see also Unit 54).
letter-writing, note-taking, sightseeing (sce also Unit 54).
letter-writing,
or
make rather than
we
use
creating
do:
something
To talk about constructing
To talk about constructing or creating something we use make rather than do:
The firm I work for makes children's clothes.
• ¢ The firm I work for makes children's clothes.
Icut out the pieces, but she made the model all by herself.
• ¢ I cut out the pieces, but she made the model all by herself.
I made some fresh coffee and gave her a cup.
• ¢ I made some fresh coffee and gave her a cup.
We also use make with certain nouns, particularly when we are talking about an action that
We also use make with certain nouns, particularly when we are talking about an action that
performs:
j someone performs:
someone
offer for my car that I accepted.
Try not to make a noise\
» ® °¢ • Try not to make a noise! • * a comment, a contribution, a decision, a difference, a money,
She made an
She made an offer for my car that I accepted.
an
a (phone) call, a plan, a point, a promise, a remark, a sound, a speech, a suggestion. or. 21
an application,
an announcement,
Other nouns commonly used with make include an announcement, an application, an
Other nouns commonly used with make include
arrangement, an attempt, a choice, a comment, a contribution, a decision, a difference, a
arrangement, an attempt, a choice,
an excuse, a habit of doing something, a list, a journey, a mistake,
discovery, an enquiry,
discovery, an enquiry, an excuse, a habit of doing something, a list, a journey, a mistake, money,
call, a plan, a point, a promise, a remark, a sound, a speech, a suggestion.
a (phone)
use
successful
someone was
or would
say how
be in
a particular job
make to
We can
We can use make to say how successful someone was or would be in a particular job or.
be
a particular purpose:
successful
for
or how
something was
or
would
position, or how successful something was or would be for a particular purpose:
position,
would probably
minister.
made
an
have
excellent prime
• ¢
He would probably have made an excellent prime minister.
He
make a good place
(or will)
old table would
to put the
television.
• ¢
That
That old table would (or will) make a good place to put the television.