When you hear the phrases “make do” and “make due,” you might wonder which one is right. It’s easy to get them mixed up, so let’s break down what each phrase means and how to use them correctly.
“Make do” is the correct expression, meaning to manage with the resources available, despite not being ideal. For example, if you don’t have a proper desk, you might make do with a kitchen table for your work.
The phrase “make due” is incorrect and often mistakenly used in place of “make do.” It’s important to know the right usage to communicate effectively and avoid confusion in your writing and speaking.
Understanding “Make Do”
“Make do” is a phrase that means to manage with the resources or tools you have available, even if they are not ideal. Think about a time when you needed a hammer but only had a rock. If you used the rock to hammer in a nail, you were making do with what you had.
This phrase often comes up when times are tough or when you’re in a situation where you can’t access the perfect solution. For example, if you ripped your jacket and used a safety pin to hold it together until you could sew it, you were making do.
Examples of “Make Do”
- I forgot my lunch at home but I’ll make do with some snacks from the vending machine.
- Since we don’t have all the ingredients, we’ll just have to make do with what’s in the fridge.
- There were no chairs left in the room, so we had to make do with sitting on the floor.
- The hotel was fully booked, so we had to make do with staying in a nearby guest house.
- My headphones broke, but I’ll make do with these old earbuds for now.
Understanding “Make Due”
Now, onto “make due.” This one’s a bit tricky because it doesn’t actually exist in standard English. When people say “make due,” they are usually making an error. They are trying to say “make do.” Have you ever looked at something that doesn’t look like it quite belongs? That’s how “make due” fits in the English language.
It’s believed that “make due” might be a mix-up or confusion with other phrases like “due date” or “give someone their due.” However, in the context of managing with what you have, “make due” doesn’t make sense.
A Common Mistake
Many people might use “make due” in sentences without realizing it’s incorrect. Here are some examples where you should replace “make due” with “make happen”:
- Incorrect: I don’t have a proper desk, but I’ll make due with the kitchen table.
- Correct: I don’t have a proper desk, but I’ll make do with the kitchen table.
As you can see, replacing “make due” with “make do” makes the sentence correct and clearer.
Remembering Which to Use
How can you make sure you don’t make the same mistake? Think of it this way: when you’re talking about surviving or getting by with what’s available, it should always be “make do.” If you’re unsure, ask yourself if the phrase “manage with what’s available” can fit into the sentence. If it does, then “make do” is definitely the way to go.
Quick Tips to Avoid Confusion
- Whenever you think of survival or coping, think of “make do.”
- “Do” and “due” sound similar but have totally different meanings, like “carrot” and “carat.”
- If you’re writing and confused, replace “make do” with “manage,” and see if it still makes sense.
By using simple methods like these, you can easily remember not to mix up “make do” and “make due.”
We’ve sorted out the confusion around “make do” and “make due.” Next time you hear someone use “make due,” you’ll know they probably meant “make do.” And when you need to express that you’re managing with limited resources, you know exactly what to say: “make do.” Just imagine yourself using that rock as a hammer and you’ll never forget!
Language is a tool, and like any tool, using it the rightakedown your ideas and thoughts effectively. The difference between “make do” and “make due” might seem small, but it’s important for clear communication. So the next time you find yourself needing to express getting by with less, you’ll confidently use “make do.”
That wraps up our look at these phrases. Do you feel ready to tackle them in your everyday conversations or writings? I hope so! Always feel free to revisit these tips if you find yourself unsure. Happy communicating!
