Verb–Noun Collocations: Do, Have, Make, Take

Hello English learners. In this lesson, you will learn the most useful verb–noun collocations: do, have, make, take, with meanings, examples and common mistakes to avoid.

Have you ever wondered why we say do homework, but make a mistake? Or why English speakers take action, but make a decision?

These small verb choices can be surprisingly difficult for English learners. The words do, have, make and take are some of the most common verbs in English, but they form many fixed word partnerships called collocations.

A verb–noun collocation is a natural combination of words, such as:

• do homework
• have a shower
• make a decision
• take a break

If you use the wrong verb, people will probably understand you, but your English may sound unnatural. For example, we do not usually say make homework or do a decision. We say do homework and make a decision.

What Are Verb–Noun Collocations?

A collocation is a group of words that naturally go together.

For example, in English we say:

• make progress, not do progress
• take notes, not make notes in many learning contexts
• have lunch, not take lunch in British English
• do research, not make research

These combinations are not always perfectly logical. That is why it is better to learn them as complete phrases, not as single words.

Instead of learning only the noun decision, learn the full phrase:

make a decision

Instead of learning only the noun homework, learn:

do homework

This is one of the fastest ways to make your English sound more natural.

Do, Have, Make and Take: Quick Comparison Table

Here is a simple guide to help you understand the general difference between these four verbs.

do	perform or complete an activity	work, tasks, duties, exercises	do homework, do research, do the shopping
have	experience, possess, eat or drink	meals, experiences, appointments, conversations	have lunch, have a rest, have an argument
make	create, produce or cause something	decisions, mistakes, plans, progress	make a decision, make a mistake, make progress
take	accept, use, perform or capture something	action, breaks, photos, notes, medicine	take action, take a break, take a photo

This table is useful, but remember: collocations are often fixed by usage, not strict grammar rules. The more you read and listen, the more natural these combinations will feel.

Verb–Noun Collocations with DO

We usually use do for work, tasks, duties, activities and things that require effort.

Do homework

Meaning: to complete schoolwork outside class.

• I need to do my homework before dinner.
• She always does her homework carefully.

Common mistake:

Incorrect: make homework

Correct: do homework

Do the housework

Meaning: to clean, tidy and do jobs around the home.

• We usually do the housework on Saturday mornings.
• My flatmates and I take turns doing the housework.

Do the shopping

Meaning: to buy food or other things you need regularly.

• I’ll do the shopping after work.
• My dad usually does the shopping on Fridays.

Do research

Meaning: to study a subject carefully in order to discover information.

• Scientists are doing research into new treatments.
• I need to do some research before I write my essay.

Common mistake:

Incorrect: make research

Correct: do research

Do an exam / do a test

In British English, we often say do an exam or do a test.

• I’m doing an exam tomorrow morning.
• If I had to do the test again, I’d probably get a better mark.

You may also hear take an exam, especially in American English.

Do your best

Meaning: to try as hard as you can.

• Don’t worry about being perfect. Just do your best.
• She always does her best, even when the task is difficult.

Do someone a favour

Meaning: to help someone.

• Could you do me a favour and close the window?
• He did me a favour by picking up the parcel.

Do harm

Meaning: to damage or hurt someone or something.

• Smoking can do serious harm to your health.
• Too much screen time may do harm to your eyes.

Do well

Meaning: to be successful.

• Their business is doing well this year.
• She always does well in interviews.

Verb–Noun Collocations with HAVE

We often use have for meals, drinks, experiences, appointments, conversations and physical states.

Have breakfast / lunch / dinner

Meaning: to eat a meal.

• We usually have lunch at around one o’clock.
• They had dinner at a lovely restaurant by the sea.

Common mistake:

Incorrect: eat breakfast is possible, but have breakfast is more natural in many everyday contexts.

Correct: have breakfast / have lunch / have dinner

Have a coffee / have a drink

Meaning: to drink something.

• Shall we have a coffee tomorrow?
• We had a drink after work.

Have a shower / have a bath

Meaning: to wash yourself.

• I usually have a shower in the morning.
• On Sundays, I like to have a bath and relax.

In American English, take a shower and take a bath are also very common.

Have a rest / have a nap

Meaning: to relax or sleep for a short time.

• After walking for hours, we stopped to have a rest.
• Grandpa is having a nap, so please be quiet.

Have an appointment

Meaning: to have an arranged meeting, especially with a doctor, dentist or professional.

• I have an appointment with the dentist this afternoon.
• She has an appointment with her manager at ten.

A more natural sentence would be:

Better: I have an appointment at the dentist’s this afternoon.

Less natural: I’m having an appointment at the dentist’s this afternoon.

We usually say have an appointment, not am having an appointment, unless we are describing the event while it is happening.

Have an argument

Meaning: to disagree angrily with someone.

• She had an argument with her sister.
• We had an argument about money.

Have a good time / have fun

Meaning: to enjoy yourself.

• We had a great time at the party.
• I hope you have fun at the concert.

Have a chance / have an opportunity

Meaning: to be able to do something.

• I didn’t have a chance to speak to him.
• We had an opportunity to ask questions at the meeting.

Have a point

Meaning: to say something reasonable or valid.

• You have a point, actually.
• I didn’t agree at first, but she had a point.

Verb–Noun Collocations with MAKE

We usually use make when we create, produce, cause, arrange or decide something.

Make a decision

Meaning: to decide something.

• I need more time to make a decision.
• She finally made the decision to move abroad.

Common mistake:

Incorrect: do a decision

Correct: make a decision

Make a mistake

Meaning: to do something incorrectly.

• Everyone makes mistakes from time to time.
• He made a careless mistake in the final paragraph.

Make progress

Meaning: to improve or move forward.

• You’re making progress with your English.
• They’ve made a lot of progress since last year.

Common mistake:

Incorrect: do progress

Correct: make progress

Make an effort

Meaning: to try hard.

• You need to make more of an effort if you want to improve.
• He made a real effort to be polite.

Make a promise

Meaning: to say firmly that you will do something.

• She made a promise to call her parents every week.
• Don’t make a promise you can’t keep.

Make a complaint

Meaning: to formally say that you are unhappy about something.

• Several tenants made a complaint about the noise.
• If the service is poor, you should make a complaint.

Make arrangements

Meaning: to organise or plan something.

• We need to make arrangements for the trip.
• They’re making arrangements for the wedding.

Make a difference

Meaning: to have an important effect.

• A few small changes can make a big difference.
• Regular practice really makes a difference.

Make an exception

Meaning: to allow something different from the usual rule.

• We don’t usually stay open this late, but we’ll make an exception.
• The teacher rarely makes exceptions.

Make a discovery / make a breakthrough

Meaning: to find or achieve something important.

• Scientists made an important discovery.
• Researchers have made a breakthrough in cancer treatment.

Verb–Noun Collocations with TAKE

We often use take for actions, breaks, photos, notes, medicine, transport, responsibility and time.

Take a break

Meaning: to stop working for a short time.

• We’ve been working for hours. Let’s take a break.
• You should take regular breaks when studying.

Take a photo

Meaning: to use a camera to make a picture.

• Let’s take a photo while we’re all together.
• She took some beautiful photos on holiday.

Common mistake:

Incorrect: make a photo

Correct: take a photo

In some languages, learners may translate directly and say make a photo, but in English we usually say take a photo.

Take notes

Meaning: to write down important information.

• Students should take notes while listening.
• I took notes during the lecture.

Take action

Meaning: to do something in order to solve a problem.

• The government must take action soon.
• Schools need to take action against bullying.

Common mistake:

Incorrect: make action

Correct: take action

Take medicine / take a pill

Meaning: to swallow medicine.

• You should take this medicine after meals.
• He forgot to take his pill this morning.

Take a test / take an exam

This is especially common in American English, but it is also understood in British English.

• She’s taking a test this afternoon.
• Thousands of students take exams every year.

In British English, you may also hear do an exam.

Take your time

Meaning: to do something slowly, without hurrying.

• There’s no rush. Take your time.
• He took his time answering the question.

Take a message

Meaning: to write down information for someone who is not available.

• I’m afraid she’s not here. Can I take a message?
• Could you take a message for Mr Harris?

Take a look

Meaning: to look at something briefly.

• Come and take a look at this.
• Let’s take a look at the old city while we’re in Istanbul.

Take care

Meaning: to be careful or to look after someone/something.

• Take care on your way home.
• She always takes care of her younger brother.

Common Mistakes with Do, Have, Make and Take

Learners often make mistakes with these collocations because they translate directly from their first language. Here are some of the most common errors.

make homework	do homework	Homework is a task, so we use do.
do a decision	make a decision	A decision is something you form or create mentally.
do a mistake	make a mistake	We use make for errors.
make a photo	take a photo	In English, we usually take photos.
do progress	make progress	Progress is something you achieve or produce over time.
make research	do research	Research is an activity or process.
make a shower	have a shower / take a shower	We use have in British English and take in American English.
do action	take action	Action is something you take in response to a problem.
make a break	take a break	A break is a pause you take from an activity.
take a decision	make a decision	In standard everyday English, make a decision is more common.

Collocations That Can Use More Than One Verb

Sometimes more than one verb is possible, but the meaning or variety of English may change.

Have a shower / take a shower

In British English, have a shower is very common.

• I usually have a shower before breakfast.

In American English, take a shower is very common.

• I usually take a shower in the morning.

Both are correct.

Do an exam / take an exam

In British English, learners often hear:

• I’m doing an exam tomorrow.

In American English, this is more common:

• I’m taking an exam tomorrow.

Both forms are understood.

Have a bath / take a bath / make a bath

These are not always the same.

• have a bath = wash yourself in a bath
• take a bath = wash yourself in a bath, common in American English
• make a bath = prepare the bath, for example by running the water

Examples:

• I’m going to have a bath and relax.
• She took a bath before bed.
• He made a bath for the baby.

Make notes or take notes?

Both can be possible, but they are often used slightly differently.

Take notes usually means to write down important information while listening or reading.

• I took notes during the lecture.

Make notes can mean to write notes more generally, especially while preparing, planning or studying.

• I made some notes before the meeting.

How to Learn Verb–Noun Collocations More Easily

The best way to learn collocations is not to memorise long lists without context. Instead, try these simple methods.

1. Learn the full phrase

Do not only learn the word mistake. Learn:

• make a mistake
• make a serious mistake
• make the same mistake again

This helps you use the word naturally in a sentence.

2. Record collocations in groups

When you learn a new noun, write down the verbs that commonly go with it.

For example:

decision

• make a decision
• reach a decision
• regret a decision
• change your decision

This is much more useful than learning isolated vocabulary.

3. Notice collocations when you read

When you read articles, stories or exam texts, pay attention to common word partnerships.

For example, if you see:

The company made significant progress last year.

Do not only notice progress. Notice the full phrase:

make significant progress

4. Practise with your own sentences

After learning a collocation, write one sentence about your own life.

For example:

• I need to make a decision about my next course.
• I usually do the shopping on Saturday.
• I always take notes during English lessons.

Personal examples are easier to remember.

Mini Practice: Do, Have, Make or Take?

Complete the sentences with do, have, make or take.

1. I need to ______ a decision by Friday.
2. She always ______ her homework before dinner.
3. Let’s ______ a break. We’ve been studying for two hours.
4. Did you ______ a good time at the wedding?
5. He ______ a mistake in the last sentence.
6. You should ______ notes during the lecture.
7. We need to ______ action immediately.
8. I usually ______ a shower in the evening.
9. They are ______ research into climate change.
10. A few small changes can ______ a big difference.

Answers: 1. make, 2. does, 3. take, 4. have, 5. made, 6. take, 7. take, 8. have, 9. doing, 10. make

Final Thoughts: Learn Collocations in Chunks

Verb–noun collocations with do, have, make and take are extremely common in everyday English. They are also very useful for Cambridge exams, writing tasks, speaking answers and natural conversation.

The important thing to remember is this: English vocabulary is not only about knowing individual words. It is about knowing which words naturally go together.

So instead of learning:

homework, decision, break, mistake

learn:

do homework, make a decision, take a break, make a mistake

That is how your English becomes more fluent, more accurate and much more natural.

Verb-Noun Collocations Practice Worksheet in PDF

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