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Lesson
Vocabulary: make, do, have and take
Four small verbs that cause big mistakes. Learn the most useful collocations for daily life and IELTS Speaking, then practise choosing the right verb.
What is a collocation?
A collocation is a pair of words that naturally go together. In English we make a mistake, not do a mistake. Using the right collocation makes your English sound natural, and examiners reward it.
| make | do | have | take |
|---|---|---|---|
| a mistake | homework | breakfast / lunch | a photo |
| a decision | exercise | a good time | the bus |
| friends | the shopping | a problem | an exam |
| progress | the washing-up | an argument | a break |
| a noise | your best | a party | a seat |
| money | business with | an idea | care of |
A simple rule of thumb
- make: you create or produce something (a cake, a plan, a noise).
- do: an activity, job or task (work, housework, research).
- have: you experience or eat something.
- take: you move or receive something (the bus, a photo, medicine).
There are exceptions, so learn them as pairs.
I take the bus to college, have lunch with my friends, and do my homework in the evening.
Practise freely
Questions 1–8
Which verb goes with each phrase?
-
___ a mistake
-
___ your homework
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___ breakfast
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___ a photo
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___ a decision
-
___ exercise
-
___ the bus
-
___ friends
Questions 9–13
Complete each sentence with a word from the box. Use each word once.
madedidhadtookmake
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I a lot of progress in English last year.
-
We a great time at the festival.
-
She the washing-up after dinner.
-
It me two hours to finish the essay.
-
Please don't a noise. The baby is sleeping.
Your turn: describe your day
Write five sentences about a normal day for you. Use make, do, have and take at least once each.
Check your answer
Model answer
I usually have breakfast with my family at seven o'clock. After that, I take a rickshaw to college, which takes about fifteen minutes. In the afternoon I do my homework in the library because it's quiet there. Twice a week I do some exercise at the local gym. Before I go to bed, I make a list of things I need to do the next day.
More vocabulary practice
PDF worksheet
Writing Task 1 language bank
PDF worksheet