Make . This verb can have a lot of scopes and different connotations, even though its meaning will almost always be linked to the activity.

It can be easy for a Spanish speaker to use this verb, especially since we use it for a wide variety of situations. However, when it comes to speaking another language we may encounter a complication: finding different words for aspects that our native language unifies.

This is the case with the verb to do and the verb to make, which in a wide variety of situations can have almost identical meanings when referring to doing an action. **What is the difference between “to do” and “to make”? **

Main differences between the verbs “do” and “make”

The verbs “to do” and “to make” are similar in many ways . Both are irregular verbs that can be translated into Spanish as “hacer”, and that imply the development of some kind of activity. It is not uncommon for speakers of other languages to confuse the two verbs.

However, although it can be confusing and complicated to understand for a non-native speaker, the truth is that the verbs “to do” and “to make” have a number of characteristics that make them distinguishable. In the following and throughout this article we will try to determine what these differences are.

1. Focus

In theory, the main difference between the two verbs is that the verb “to do” is used to talk about carrying out an activity , focusing on the fact of having carried it out, or to express general ideas. The use of “to make” is closer to the idea of creating or elaborating something , focusing more on the result of the action. It is important to note that this is not always true, but it does express the general tendency. Some examples are the following:

  • I’m doing sport
  • He made the effort to come thought he was sick

2. Specificity level

Another of the main differences can be found in the fact that as a general rule the verb “to make” refers to a specific act or action , while the “to do” refers to general and not very specific activities. Some examples are as follows:

  • Do some thinking
  • I’m making some furniture for my house

3. Product or non-product?

In both cases we are talking about the performance of some kind of action . However, it is sometimes possible to observe that while the verb “to do” refers to the fact of doing an action itself, which usually does not end with the creation of something, the verb “to make” is used in those actions that have a palpable result in the form of some kind of product of the action, which may or may not be physical (we can, for example, talk about commitments and/or symbolic elements). For example, the verb “to make” is used in those actions that have a palpable result in the form of some kind of product of the action:

  • She’s going to do some research
  • We once made a boat

4. Auxiliary

The verb “to do” is often used as an auxiliary verb in other phrases in which it does not have the real meaning of “to do” . It is often used in interrogative phrases, with more emphasis on the concrete action to be taken than on the act of doing it itself. In fact, if we try to translate many English sentences into Spanish, the verb “to do” is usually lost. The verb make usually has a greater emphasis, and when it is used, it is usually done to emphasize the fact of having done an action or created something. Two examples of this are the following.

I’m making a promise
Did you know that? (did you know that?)

5. Knowledge of what is happening

Linked to the level of specificity or generality, we can find that the verb “to do” can be used when talking about those actions of which we have no previous knowledge, the activity itself is not indicated, or that have not appeared in the conversation until then. The verb “to make” usually refers to much more concrete elements that are marked in the conversation (even if it is at the same time as the sentence is pronounced). To exemplify this, we leave two sentences:

  • She’s making money with this situation
  • I don’t know what to think about it

6. Reference to social aspects

The verb “to make” usually appears in those sentences where there is an interaction between two people or beings , whether they are conversational elements or not. For example, promises, commitments, discussions… are some examples of situations in which the verb “to make” is often used. The “to do” usually refers to more individual ideas, acts and elements. Three sentences, for example, could be the following:

  • I’m going to make a speech
  • We have a suggestion to make
  • I’m gonna do the dishes