Collocations with DO in English

A collocation is a combination of words that are commonly used together; the simplest way of describing collocations is to say that they ‘just sound right’ to native English speakers. Other combinations that may mean the same thing would seem ‘ unnatural’. Following is a list of 47 collocations with DO in English.

What Are Collocations?

A collocation is a natural combination of words that native speakers often use together.
For example:

• ✅ do homework (✅ correct and natural)

• ❌ make homework (❌ unnatural)

Even though make and do have similar meanings, English uses “do homework”, not make homework.

When Do We Use “Do”?

We usually use “do” when talking about:

1. Work or tasks — something you must complete.
   → do the dishes, do the laundry, do a project

2. General actions or non-specific activities.
   → do something, do nothing, do everything

3. Jobs or roles.
   → do business, do a job, do a report

4. Health and fitness activities.
   → do yoga, do exercise, do push-ups

Common Collocations with “Do”

Common Mistakes with “Do”

❌ make homework → ✅ do homework
❌ make the dishes → ✅ do the dishes
❌ make exercise → ✅ do exercise

List of Collocations with DO

• do me a favour
• do the cooking
• do the housework
• do the shopping
• do the washing up
• do your best
• do your hair
• do business
• do nothing
• do the cooking
• do the housework
• do the shopping
• do your best
• do your hair
• do homework
• do damage
• do laundry
• do the dishes
• do harm
• do good
• do the exam
• do anything
• do a good job
• do your chores
• do everything
• do sport
• do well
• do the ironing
• do the cleaning
• do badly
• do business
• do exercises
• do a job
• do an interview
• do your make-up
• do research
• do the dishes
• do an operation
• do work
• do the math
• do the maximum
• do a favor
• do a deal
• do cleaning
• do account
• do a drawing
• do friends