English · A2 · vocabulary · 4 minutes
Household chores
Learn natural verb–object combinations for home tasks.
Understand the choice
Household language is best learned as action–object pairs. British rubbish corresponds to American trash/garbage; both varieties share most verbs.
Core rule: Do the laundry, take out rubbish/trash, wash the dishes, and vacuum the floor are fixed collocations.
Notice it in context
Today I clean the kitchen, do the laundry, and take out the rubbish.
Hoy limpio la cocina, lavo la ropa y saco la basura.
Clean, do, and take share subject I; each selects a different task phrase.
The laundry is dry, and the dishwasher is washing dishes.
The clothes are dry; the dish machine is active.
Laundry, dishwasher, and wash appear directly.
I sweep, tidy, and iron on Saturday.
Saturday is my floor-cleaning, organizing, and clothes-pressing day.
Sweep, tidy, and iron appear exactly.
What to remember
- Laundry is uncountable; a load of laundry is one batch.
- Housework is uncountable general domestic work.
Common trap: Do not say make the laundry.