Everyday verbs

make arrangements for

to organize or prepare something. Example: The school can make arrangements for pupils with special needs

make a change / make changes

to alter something. Example: The new manager is planning to make some changes

make a choice

to choose between two or more possibilities. Example: Amelia had to make a choice between her career and her family

make a comment / make comments

to say or write an opinion about something. Example: Would anyone like to make any comments on the talk?

make a contribution to

to give or do something that helps achieve a result. Example: She made a useful contribution to the discussion

make a decision

to decide something. Example: I’m glad it’s you who has to make the decision, not me

make an effort

to try hard to do something. Example: Michael is really making an effort with his maths this term

make an excuse

to give a reason, often not a genuine one, for not doing something. Example: Let’s make an excuse and stay at home

make friends

to form friendships with people. Example: Caroline is very good at making friends

make an improvement

to improve something. Example: Repainting the room has really made an improvement

make a mistake

to do something incorrectly. Example: They made a mistake in our bill

make a phone call

to telephone someone. Example: I’ve got to make some phone calls before dinner

make progress

to improve or develop gradually. Example: Holly is making progress with all her schoolwork

do your best

to try as hard as possible. Example: All that matters in the exam is to do your best

do damage

to harm something. Example: The storm did some damage to our roof

do an experiment

to carry out a scientific test. Example: We are doing an experiment to test how the metal reacts with water

do exercises

to perform activities designed for practice or physical training. Example: We’ll do some exercises practising these collocations tomorrow

do someone a good turn / do someone a favour

to do something helpful for someone. Example: Could you do me a favour and pick up some milk from the supermarket?

do harm

to cause damage or injury. Example: Changing the rules may do more harm than good

do your hair

to arrange or style your hair. Example: I haven’t done my hair yet

do your homework

to complete schoolwork assigned to be done at home. Example: My son has to do his homework straight after school

do the ironing / shopping / washing

to perform routine household tasks. Example: I’ll do the washing if you do the ironing

do some work

to carry out a task or activity. Example: We’ll do some work on our project and then go to the cinem

have an accident

to experience an accident. Example: Mr Grey had an accident last night, but he is fine now

have an argument / a row

to disagree angrily with someone. Example: We had an argument about how to fix the car

have a break

to stop working or studying for a short time in order to rest. Example: Let’s have a break when you finish this exercise

have a conversation / a chat

to talk with someone. Example: I hope we will have time to have a chat after the meeting

have difficulty

to find something hard to do or understand. Example: The class had difficulty understanding what to do

have a dream / nightmare

to experience a dream or frightening dream while asleep. Example: I had a nightmare last night

have an experience

to experience a particular event or situation. Example: I had a frightening experience the other day

have a feeling

to believe or sense that something is true. Example: I have a feeling that something is wrong

have fun / a good time

to enjoy yourself. Example: I’m sure you will have fun on the school trip

have a look

to look at or examine something. Example: The manager wanted to have a look at what we were doing

have a party

to organize or attend a social celebration. Example: Let’s have a party at the end of term

have a problem / problems

to experience a difficulty. Example: Ask the teacher if you have problems with the exercise

have a try / go

informal. to attempt to do something. Example: I’ll explain what to do, and then you can have a go

take a holiday

to spend time away from work or study for rest or travel. Example: We decided to take a holiday by the coast

take a trip

to travel somewhere for a short period. Example: Yesterday, we took a trip to the mountains

take a train

to travel somewhere by train. Example: First, we took a train to a small town

take a bus

to travel somewhere by bus. Example: We then took a bus to several villages

take a liking to

to begin to like someone or something. Example: We took a liking to the villages and stayed for a while

take an interest in

to become interested in someone or something. Example: Some local children took an interest in us

take photos

to use a camera to create photographs. Example: We took a lot of photos during the trip

take a chance

to do something despite the possibility of failure or danger. Example: I decided to take a chance and apply for the job

take a dislike to

to begin to dislike someone or something. Example: My boss has taken a dislike to me

take advantage of

to make good use of an opportunity. Example: You should take advantage of the job opportunities in London

take action

to do something in order to deal with a problem. Example: If you cannot find a job soon, you should take action

pay attention

to watch, listen to, or think about something carefully. Example: You must pay attention to the teacher

pay a compliment

to say something kind or admiring about someone. Example: I was trying to pay her a compliment, but she misunderstood

pay your last respects

to show respect for someone who has died, usually at a funeral. Example: At a funeral, people pay their last respects to the person who has died

pay tribute to

formal. to publicly praise or show respect for someone. Example: When Jack retired, his boss made a speech paying tribute to all he had done for the compan

gain power / control / access

to obtain power, control, or the opportunity to use something. Example: The Socialist Party gained control of the National Assembly

gain a reputation

to become known for a particular quality or achievement. Example: The company gained a reputation for excellent customer service

gain publicity

to attract public or media attention. Example: The campaign gained considerable publicity online

gain recognition

to become widely known or respected. Example: Her paintings gained recognition after a major exhibition

gain an advantage

to obtain a favourable position over others. Example: The company gained an advantage over its competitors

win an award / a prize / a medal

to receive an award, prize, or medal by succeeding in a competition. Example: He won a medal at the Olympic Games

win a match

to defeat an opponent in a sporting competition. Example: Our team won the final match

win a battle / a war / an election

to succeed against an opponent in a conflict or election. Example: The Conservative Party won the election

earn a salary / money

to receive money in return for work. Example: I earn £2,110 a month

make a profit

to receive more money from a business activity than is spent. Example: The company made a profit last year

make money

to earn or obtain money, especially through work, business, or investment. Example: Some people make money by investing in property

achieve success

to become successful through effort or ability. Example: It is difficult to achieve success in international sport

achieve your goals / aims

to successfully accomplish what you intended to do. Example: Hard work can help people achieve their goals

beat a team / an opponent

to win against a team or person in a competition. Example: They beat the defending champions in the final

defeat a team / an opponent

formal. to win against a team or person in a competition or conflict. Example: He defeated his opponent in the tennis final

take warm clothes

to bring warm clothes with you to a place. Example: You will need to take warm clothes when you go to Alaska

carry a mobile phone

to have a mobile phone with you. Example: I always carry my mobile phone whenever I go out

wear a hat

to have a hat on your head. Example: She was wearing a hat

carry someone’s bag

to hold and transport another person’s bag. Example: He kindly offered to carry my bag for me

wear a dress

to have a dress on your body. Example: She is wearing a red dress

use a laptop

to operate a laptop for a particular purpose. Example: He is using a laptop to complete his work

spend time doing something

to use a period of time performing an activity. Example: I spent two hours watching television