Word list · Teens & Adults
Collocations with Make, Do, Have and Take
Make a mistake, do your best, have a go, take a break: which verb goes where.
- Age
- Ages 13+
- Level
- A2–B2
- Skill
- Vocabulary
- Format
- Interactive
- Phrasal verbs & idioms
- 25 words
Practise
Three ways to learn the list. Nothing is saved: start again whenever you like.
0 of 25 learned
make a decision
collocation
The list
Tap the speaker to hear each word.
make a decision
collocation · B1
to decide something after thinking about it
It took us weeks to make a decision about the new car.
make a mistake
collocation · A2
to do or say something wrong
Don't worry if you make a mistake. Just try again.
make money
collocation · B1
to earn money
He makes money by selling old furniture online.
make an effort
collocation · B1
to try hard to do something
Please make an effort to arrive on time tomorrow.
make friends
collocation · A2
to start a friendship with new people
It's easy to make friends when you join a sports club.
make a phone call
collocation · A2
to call someone on the phone
Excuse me, I need to make a quick phone call.
do your homework
collocation · A2
to complete the work a teacher gives you to do at home
The kids always do their homework before dinner.
do the shopping
collocation · A2
to buy food and other things you need regularly
We usually do the shopping on Saturday mornings.
do business
collocation · B2
to buy, sell or work together commercially
We've been doing business with this company for ten years.
do your best
collocation · B1
to try as hard as you can
It's not important to win. Just do your best.
do someone a favour
collocation · B1
to help someone when they ask you
Could you do me a favour and water my plants while I'm away?
do the washing-up
collocation · B1
to wash the plates, cups and pans after a meal (British English)
If you cook, I'll do the washing-up.
have a look
collocation · A2
to look at something quickly
Can I have a look at your holiday photos?
have a good time
collocation · A2
to enjoy yourself
We had a great time at the wedding.
have an argument
collocation · B1
to disagree angrily with someone
My neighbours had a loud argument last night.
have a chat
collocation · B1
to have a friendly, informal conversation
Let's have a chat over coffee after the meeting.
have a go
collocation · B2
(informal) to try to do something
This puzzle is really hard. Do you want to have a go?
have lunch
collocation · A2
to eat a meal in the middle of the day
We usually have lunch at about one o'clock.
take a break
collocation · A2
to stop working or doing something for a short time
You look tired. Why don't you take a break?
take a photo
collocation · A2
to use a camera or phone to make a picture
Could you take a photo of us in front of the castle?
take part in
collocation · B1
to join in an activity or event with other people
Over 3,000 runners took part in the city marathon.
take responsibility
collocation · B2
to accept that something is your job or your fault
A good leader takes responsibility when things go wrong.
take someone's advice
collocation · B1
to do what someone has suggested
I took my doctor's advice and started walking every day.
take your time
collocation · B1
to do something slowly, without hurrying
There's no rush, so take your time.
take a test
collocation · B1
to do an exam or test
She's taking her driving test next week.
Use it: speaking task
For pairs or small groups, about ten minutes.
Find someone who… Walk around the class and ask questions with the collocations. When someone says yes, write their name and ask one more question.
- Find someone who made an important decision last year.
- Find someone who does the shopping for their family.
- Find someone who had an argument with a friend recently.
- Find someone who took part in a race, a competition or a show.
- Find someone who never takes a break at work or school.
Printable worksheet
One page of matching and gap-fill, the speaking task, and an answer key on a separate page.
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Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
A. Match each word with its meaning.
- 1. make a decision ____
- 2. make money ____
- 3. make friends ____
- 4. do your homework ____
- 5. do business ____
- 6. do someone a favour ____
- 7. have a look ____
- 8. have an argument ____
- 9. have a go ____
- 10. take a break ____
- a) to disagree angrily with someone
- b) to complete the work a teacher gives you to do at home
- c) to buy, sell or work together commercially
- d) to stop working or doing something for a short time
- e) to decide something after thinking about it
- f) (informal) to try to do something
- g) to help someone when they ask you
- h) to earn money
- i) to look at something quickly
- j) to start a friendship with new people
B. Complete the sentences with words from the box.
do · had · have · make · take
- 1. Don't worry if you a mistake. Just try again.
- 2. Please an effort to arrive on time tomorrow.
- 3. Excuse me, I need to a quick phone call.
- 4. We usually the shopping on Saturday mornings.
- 5. It's not important to win. Just your best.
- 6. If you cook, I'll the washing-up.
- 7. We a great time at the wedding.
- 8. Let's a chat over coffee after the meeting.
- 9. We usually lunch at about one o'clock.
- 10. Could you a photo of us in front of the castle?
C. Use it: speak
Find someone who… Walk around the class and ask questions with the collocations. When someone says yes, write their name and ask one more question.
- Find someone who made an important decision last year.
- Find someone who does the shopping for their family.
- Find someone who had an argument with a friend recently.
- Find someone who took part in a race, a competition or a show.
- Find someone who never takes a break at work or school.
Answer key
A. 1e · 2h · 3j · 4b · 5c · 6g · 7i · 8a · 9f · 10d
- B.
- 1. make
- 2. make
- 3. make
- 4. do
- 5. do
- 6. do
- 7. had
- 8. have
- 9. have
- 10. take