HELP sheet - MAKE vs DO. Which to use. Unfortunately there is no sure rule but generally:
“DO” is used for actions, tasks and obligations of any sort when referring to the action itself.
It refers to generalties and can take over from "MAKE" as in the following:
“MAKE” is used mostly when something is created, produced or constructed or manufactured.
More abstractedly:
Or even with negative things:
"What are you doing?" as a question expects an answer about the activity.
"What are you making ?" expects an answer related to the result.
Of course the more general question "What are you doing?" can invoke a more precise answer with "make" (as it could with any other verb.)
N.B. A very common mistake for students of English is to confuse these two:
but while doing them:
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