When it comes to giving presentations, there is a lot of confusion about whether you should “make” a presentation or “do” a presentation. Both are correct, but the intended meaning depends on context.
The terms “make” and “do” have different meanings based on context. Generally, “make” is used to create something new, and “do” is used for performing an action.
Definition Of Terms
In presentations, “make” can mean preparing the material or giving the talk, while “do” can refer to carrying out the presentation task. Neither verb tells you who prepared the slides.
Here is an example:
You’ll need to prepare a presentation for your sales team tomorrow, which involves creating it from scratch.
If your boss asks you to do a presentation, you may need to prepare and deliver it yourself. Ask whether the slides are already available if that affects the work involved.
Using “make” or “do” alone does not reliably distinguish preparation from delivery. Cambridge Dictionary lists both verbs, along with “give,” for a presentation to an audience.
- Make: prepare the material or give the talk, depending on context
- Do: carry out the presentation task; the speaker may also prepare it
- Use “prepare” for creating the material and “give” or “deliver” for speaking to the audience
Which Is Correct?
Both terms work if used in the right context. Understand what the surrounding sentence tells you before deciding whether the speaker means preparation, delivery, or both.
If you want to avoid confusion, stick to using “deliver” when referring to giving a presentation. This term applies whether you created the presentation or not.
Context usually settles which verb fits best. In a workplace conversation, “I have to make a presentation by Friday” may suggest a preparation deadline, while “I have to do a presentation on Friday” suggests a scheduled talk. The words “by” and “on” help establish that difference; the verbs alone do not. For a clear instruction, write “Prepare the sales slides by Friday” or “Give the sales presentation on Friday.” These examples separate the work from the event without making assumptions about who created the deck.
“Give a presentation” is a clear choice for speaking to an audience in formal emails, meeting agendas, and academic writing. “Present” on its own works well in headings and bullet points, as in “Present quarterly results to the board.” If you are writing for a mixed international audience, use “prepare” or “create” for building the material and “give a presentation” or “deliver a presentation” for the talk itself. “Make” and “do” remain acceptable when the intended meaning is clear from the situation.
