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Grammar fix

do the dishes

wash the dishes

to wash plates, cups, and other kitchen items after a meal.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • I usually do the dishes right after dinner.daily life
  • In my family, we all share the housework. For example, I often do the dishes while my brother takes out the rubbish.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: do the dishes

WrongIt's your turn to make the dishes.

RightIt's your turn to do the dishes.

'Do the dishes' — not 'make'.

Patterndo the dishes

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I shall cleanse the crockery after dinner.

Natural I'll do the dishes after dinner.

'Cleanse the crockery' is bizarre; people 'do the dishes' / 'wash up'.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • do the dishes
    wash upyour turnafter dinnera pile of

Don't confuse it

‘Do the dishes’ is more common in spoken English than ‘wash the dishes.’

Try it in Daily Speak →