do chores

USAGE SUMMARY

"do chores" is a perfectly acceptable phrase for written English.
You can use it any time you want to express the idea of completing a task that needs to be done in order to keep a home running smoothly—for instance, "My weekend was busy with chores like doing the dishes, laundry, and vacuuming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Grounded, do chores, etc.

The Washington Post

And have them do chores.

Independent

"They do chores," he said.

The New York Times

We were also expected to do chores.

The New York Times

He'd rather play than do chores.

The New York Times - Books

"My children do chores," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We had to do chores, dishes.

The Guardian

"I don't do chores around the house anymore.

The New York Times - Sports

"A robot from the Jetsons to do chores," Jeremiah suggested.

The New York Times

When one quits to do chores, another takes over.

The New York Times - Arts

One is that you learned to do chores.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about dividing household labor, use "do chores" to clearly communicate the distribution of tasks. For example, "To ensure fairness, we discussed who would "do chores" like laundry and cleaning."

Common error

Be specific about which chores need to be done and who is responsible for each. Instead of vaguely saying, "Everyone needs to "do chores"", list specific tasks like "John will mow the lawn, and Mary will do the dishes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do chores" functions as a verb phrase where "do" is the main verb and "chores" is the direct object. It describes the action of performing routine household tasks, which is deemed acceptable by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

22%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do chores" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe performing household tasks. According to Ludwig, it's perfectly acceptable in written English and can be used in various contexts. While it is suitable for general communication, formal writing may benefit from more precise alternatives such as "perform household tasks" or "manage household responsibilities". Its widespread use in news, media, and everyday conversation highlights its versatility, with the recommendation to stay specific about chore delegation to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get the chores done

Focuses on the act of finishing the chores, often with a sense of relief.

take care of chores

Emphasizes the act of tending to necessary household tasks.

accomplish household chores

Highlights the completion and success in finishing chores.

perform household tasks

Replaces "do chores" with a more formal and explicit description of the activity.

complete household tasks

Focuses on finishing or accomplishing the necessary chores.

handle household duties

Uses "handle" and "duties" to suggest a responsibility for managing household tasks.

attend to household responsibilities

A more formal version emphasizing responsibility.

carry out household duties

Emphasizes performing specific responsibilities around the house.

manage household tasks

Implies organizing and overseeing the completion of household duties.

undertake household responsibilities

A formal and less common way to express beginning household tasks.

FAQs

How can I include "do chores" in a sentence?

You can use "do chores" to describe performing household tasks, such as "After school, I usually "do chores" like washing dishes or folding laundry".

What can I say instead of "do chores"?

You can use alternatives like "perform household tasks", "handle household duties", or "take care of chores", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "do chores" or "make chores"?

"Do chores" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Make chores" is not standard English in this context.

Is it appropriate to use "do chores" in formal writing?

While "do chores" is widely understood, in formal writing, you might opt for more precise terms like "perform household tasks" or "manage household responsibilities" to maintain a professional tone.