Make? Do? Get?

Collocations are the natural combination of words. In English it refers to the way words are linked with each other. For example, have and a haircut go together, so do catch and cold; get and married, and free with time:

• You should have a haircut before your job interview.
• Put on a coat or you will catch a cold.
• When are you planning to get married?
• I wish I had more free time.

For people learning English the verbs make, do and get can be comfusing when used in collocations. For example, do we do a mistake, get a mistake or make a mistake? The correct collocation is make a mistake!

Lesson by Nasreen, teacher at EC Cape Town English school

Complete the sentences with the correct verb: make, do or get:

• 1. What time _______ you get up on weekends?
  
  get
  make
  do
  
  
• 2. She couldn't ______ up her mind.
  
  get
  make
  do
  
  
• 3. They've known each other for years. They _____on very well.
  
  make
  do
  get
  
  
• 4. I’m exhausted! I could _____ with a break,
  
  get
  do
  make
  
  
• 5. I couldn’t _____ through. The phone was just ringing.
  
  get
  do
  make
  
  
• 6. We need to _____ going, or we’ll miss the train.
  
  make
  get
  do
  
  
• 7. Do you find it easy to _____ friends?
  
  get
  make
  do
  
  
• 8. I have to _____ the shopping tomorrow morning.
  
  do
  get
  make
  
  
• 9. I’ll _____ my best to get there on time.
  
  get
  make
  do
  
  
• 10. Did you _____ an appointment with the director?
  
  get
  do
  make