Do someone a favour means to help them out. It is usually something small done on request: giving someone a lift, passing something on, keeping an eye on their things. The person comes straight after do: do me a favour, did her a favour. In American English the word is spelt favor.
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do + person + a favour; do me a favour and + verb; ask + person + a favour; do yourself a favour
- I did Maria a favour and covered her shift on Sunday.
- You did me a real favour when you lent me your laptop last week.
- Do yourself a favour and turn off your phone an hour before bed.
What changed
First versionCould you make me a favour and water my plants while I'm away?
RevisionCould you do me a favour and water my plants while I'm away?
Make can seem like the right verb for an act of kindness, which leads to make a favour. But in this sense favour goes with do: do someone a favour. Make isn't used here, so make was changed to do.
To ask for a favour, you ask someone a favour: Can I ask you a favour? In informal British English, Do me a favour! can also be an exclamation of disbelief, meaning something like 'come off it': He says he'll finish the whole project tonight? Do me a favour!
Your turn
When I broke my leg, my neighbour ___ me a big favour and walked my dog every day.
Show the answer
did — The neighbour walked the dog every day while its owner had a broken leg, so he was helping out: did me a favour. A native speaker wouldn't say made me a favour.
Ask a neighbour or a colleague for a favour: say exactly what needs doing and why you can't do it yourself.
Can you do me a favour? I'm at the dentist tomorrow morning, so please sign for my parcel if it arrives.
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