FCE (First Certificate) Collocations
make, do, have and take
There are some general rules for this, but mainly you need to remember lots of fixed expressions.
Look at the information in the table for a couple of minutes and try to remember the words. Then click below to hide the information and try to answer the questions at the bottom.
| make | do | have | take |
|---|---|---|---|
| a mistake a profit/loss money/millions a fortune friends war a noise a mess fun of someone a phone call progress a difference |
the ironing the housework your homework business well/badly sth wrong/right your best damage/harm sb a favour |
a look dinner a headache a party a picnic a barbecue an appointment fun trouble sth in common | a photo advantage of sb care of sb place sth into account your time time no notice of sth part in sth the opportunity |
Make is also used with most nouns for ways of speaking/planning. For example, you make a complaint, a promise, an offer, a threat, a speech, an apology, a point, a confession, an accusation, a suggestion, an arrangement, a decision, a plan, an appointment.
But, have is used with most nouns which involve a two-way discussion. For example, you have a conversation, a chat, a discussion, an argument, a fight, a row, a meeting, an interview.
We also often use have + a + verb (where the verb and the noun are the same). For example, have a look, a rest, a sleep, a drink, a walk, a go.
Click here to show/hide this information
When you are ready, hide the information above and test yourself here. Choose the correct word to complete each of these sentences - make, do, have or take.
You might get the same question twice (or even 3 times!)