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Make vs Do — Why French Speakers Always Mix Them
Why this is so hard
French has faire for both. English splits them. There's a general pattern, but many exceptions — and the exceptions are the ones you use every day at work.
The general pattern
You make something that didn't exist before. Make a plan, make a decision, make a mistake, make progress, make money, make a phone call, make an effort, make a suggestion.
You do a task or activity. Do work, do business, do research, do a favour, do your best, do the dishes, do an exercise, do a report.
The work essentials
The trick that helps
Make often has a visible result — something new exists after you make it. You make a cake (now there's a cake). You make a decision (now there's a decision).
Do often has no visible product — it's an activity. You do research (no single object produced). You do your best (no product, just effort).
Common mistakes
"I need to do a decision" → "make a decision.""We make business together" → "do business.""She did a mistake" → "made a mistake.""Can you make me a favour?" → "do me a favour."
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This is an example of lesson expand exercise with AI chatbox interface. Follow the instructions and respond in the chatbox.
Lesson Expand
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Fix these French-influenced restaurant phrases:
- ‘I take the salmon, please.’
- ‘Can we have the addition?’
- ‘I am allergic at nuts.’
Type your corrected versions!
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