did not do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'did not do' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a way of expressing negation. For example, "She did not do what she was asked to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I did not do this".

The New York Times - Magazine

(They did not do it).

The New Yorker

This we did not do.

The New Yorker

I did not do it".

The New York Times

"We did not do enough".

The New York Times

I did not do that".

The New York Times

It did not do so.

The Economist

She did not do well.

The New York Times

"He did not do enough.

The New York Times

Did not do.

The New Yorker

He did not do so".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did not do" to clearly and directly negate an action, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Ensure you are not inadvertently creating a double negative when using "did not do". For example, avoid saying "I didn't do nothing", which implies that you did something. Instead, say "I did not do anything."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not do" functions as a negated action verb phrase, indicating that a specific action was not performed in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard way to express negation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not do" is a grammatically correct and very common way to negate an action in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a clear and direct way to express that something was not performed. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase is suitable for neutral contexts and various writing styles. While it's essential to avoid double negatives, "did not do" remains a versatile tool for expressing negation across various situations. Consider alternatives like "failed to do" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to do

This alternative suggests a lack of success or ability in performing the action.

did not accomplish

This phrase emphasizes the lack of completion or achievement of a specific task.

did not execute

Suggests a failure to carry out or implement something.

did not undertake

This indicates that an action was not commenced or initiated.

refrained from doing

Highlights a deliberate choice to abstain from performing the action.

avoided doing

Indicates an intentional effort to steer clear of performing the action.

neglected to do

Implies a failure to perform an action due to oversight or carelessness.

omitted to do

Suggests an action was left out or not included.

passed on doing

Suggests a decision to decline or forgo an opportunity to act.

did not bother to do

Implies a lack of motivation or interest in performing the action.

FAQs

How can I use "did not do" in a sentence?

Use "did not do" to negate an action in the past tense. For example, "I "did not do" my homework last night" indicates the homework was not completed.

What's a more formal alternative to "did not do"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "failed to accomplish" or "did not undertake" as alternatives to ""did not do"" for a more sophisticated tone.

Is "didn't do" the same as "did not do"?

"Didn't do" is a contraction of ""did not do"" and is perfectly acceptable in informal writing and speech. Both phrases carry the same meaning.

What is the difference between "did not do" and "has not done"?

"Did not do" refers to a specific action that was not completed at a definite point in the past, while "has not done" implies that an action has not been completed up to the present moment. For example, "I "did not do" my chores yesterday" versus "I have not done my chores yet".