Do' and 'make' compared

Make conveys the sense of 'create'; do (often suggesting 'be engaged in an activity') is a more general term:

What are you doing? - I'm making a cake

What are you making? - A cake Both do and make can be used in a variety of fixed combinations [> App 43]. Here is a brief selection:

do + one's best business with someone, damage to something one's duty, an experiment; someone a favour, good, etc.

make + an accusation against (someone), an agreement with

(someone), an appointment: an arrangement; a bed, etc. Sometimes both make and do are possible:

/'// make/I'll do the beds this morning, if you like

Do' in fixed expressions

Do occurs in numerous fixed expressions, such as:

What does he do?(i.e. What work does he do for a living?)

How do you do?[> 13.40.6]

That'll do¹ (e.g. That will be enough.)

How many miles does it do to the gallon? '(doin the sense of 'go')

This simply won't do (i.e. It's unacceptable.)

How did you do?(i.e. How did you manage?)

/ could do with a drink (i.e. I would like a drink.)

It s got nothing to do with me (i.e. It doesn't concern me.)

/ can do without a car (i.e. manage without a car)

/ was done! (\.e. I was cheated.)

Shall I do your room out?(\.e. clean it)

You did me out of my share (i.e. cheated me)

11 Modal auxiliaries and related verbs

General characteristics of modal verbs

Which verbs are modal auxiliaries and what do they do?

Verbs like can and may are called modal auxiliaries, though we often refer to them simply as modal verbs or modals. We frequently use modals when we are concerned with our relationship with someone else. We may, for example, ask for permission to do something; grant permission to someone; give or receive advice; make or respond to requests and offers, etc. We can express different levels of politeness both by the forms we choose and the way we say things. The bluntest command {You must see a doctor), with a certain kind of stress, might be more kindly and persuasive than the most complicated utterance (/ think it might possibly be advisable for you to see a doctor).

Modals sharing the same grammatical characteristics [> 11.5-6] are:

can - could

may - might

will - would

shall - should

must -

ought to -

Verbs which share some of the grammatical characteristics of modals are: need [> 11.49], dare [> 11.65], used to [> 11.58], By comparison, need to and dare to are full verbs.

Modals have two major functions which can be defined as primary and secondary.