Languages › English as a Second Language Should I Do Business or Make Business? Print English as a Second Language Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Grammar Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on March 06, 2017 The choice between the verbs make and do can be confusing. In general, use make with something that you physically make, and do with activities. However, there are many exceptions to this rule. This guide to using make and do should help you learn which words go with which verbs. These common word combinations are called collocations. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Beare, Kenneth. "Should I Do Business or Make Business?" ThoughtCo, Jan. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/do-business-or-make-business-3973856. Beare, Kenneth. (2020, January 29). Should I Do Business or Make Business? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/do-business-or-make-business-3973856 Beare, Kenneth. "Should I Do Business or Make Business?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/do-business-or-make-business-3973856 (accessed April 19, 2024). copy citation