do a favor
/duː ə ˈfeɪ.vər/
Meaning
This expression means to do something kind, helpful, or useful for someone else without expecting anything in return. It is commonly used when politely asking for help or offering assistance in daily conversations. You will often see it structured as 'do someone a favor' or 'do a favor for someone'.
Examples
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Could you do me a favor and watch my dog for a couple of hours this afternoon?
Could you do me a favor and watch my dog for a couple of hours this afternoon?
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I'm happy to do you a favor, but you'll have to help me with my homework later.
I'm happy to do you a favor, but you'll have to help me with my homework later.
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Hey, do me a favor and don't tell Sarah about the surprise party yet.
Hey, do me a favor and don't tell Sarah about the surprise party yet.
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He did his neighbor a huge favor by shoveling the snow off her driveway.
He did his neighbor a huge favor by shoveling the snow off her driveway.
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I don't mind doing you a favor, but I'm really busy with work at the moment.
I don't mind doing you a favor, but I'm really busy with work at the moment.
Common Mistakes
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✗ Can you make me a favor and open the window?
✓ Can you do me a favor and open the window?
In English, we always use the verb 'do' with 'favor', never 'make'. This is a common collocation error for learners whose native languages use a verb meaning 'to make' for this concept.
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✗ I need to ask a favor to you.
✓ I need to ask a favor of you.
When asking someone for help, you ask a favor 'of' someone, or simply 'ask someone a favor'. Using the preposition 'to' is grammatically incorrect here.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Could you ___ and pass me that wrench?
💡 Ask politely for help using the pronoun 'me'.
Show answer
do me a favor
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I'm always happy to ___ for a friend in need.
💡 Use the base form of the expression without a personal pronoun.
Show answer
do a favor
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She ___ by driving him to the airport at 5 AM.
💡 Use the past tense form of 'do' and the pronoun 'him'.
Show answer
did him a favor