Understanding Collocations: 20 Examples with ‘Make’ and ‘Do’

Introduction to Collocations

Collocations are combinations of words that frequently occur together. They enhance your fluency and make your language sound more natural. In English, two common verbs that are often collocated are ‘make’ and ‘do.’ Understanding how to use these verbs correctly can significantly improve your conversational skills.

Collocations with ‘Make’

Here are 20 examples of how to use ‘make’ in common phrases:

• make a cake
• make a decision
• make an effort
• make a mistake
• make friends
• make money
• make a phone call
• make a plan
• make a wish
• make an appointment
• make a change
• make a noise
• make a suggestion
• make a promise
• make a comment
• make time
• make a contribution
• make a statement
• make arrangements
• make it happen

Collocations with ‘Do’

Similarly, here are 20 examples of collocations that use ‘do’:

• do the dishes
• do homework
• do a favor
• do business
• do your best
• do the laundry
• do research
• do a job
• do a test
• do exercise
• do well
• do a presentation
• do time
• do nothing
• do the right thing
• do the work
• do a project
• do a scan
• do damage
• do justice