do housework

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'do housework' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the chores associated with keeping a home clean and maintained, including but not limited to dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, and tidying up. Example sentence: Sarah had to do housework every Saturday to help keep the house clean.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

My nephews, they all do housework".

The Guardian - Music

Mrs. Montjoy needed a country girl for the summer who was trained to do housework.

The New Yorker

"Women have another purpose – to have children, to do housework, to create hearth and home".

The Guardian - Sport

I could not cook, or do housework or take care of my children," she said.

The Guardian

Someone comes in to do housework but Harry clears away first anyway.

The Guardian - Music

"If you can do housework or look after other children it can make a real difference".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What kind of work does her husband do? "Housework," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a pleasure to do housework around such a thing.

The Guardian

In many families, there is nobody around to do housework of any kind, including buying and preparing food.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the baby fell in when Ms. Rodriguez left the room to do housework, the police said.

The New York Times

"I couldn't do housework, read a newspaper or even watch television," said the part-time office worker, who is 50.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing shared responsibilities, specify who "does housework" to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "Both parents do housework to maintain a balanced home life."

Common error

Avoid using "do housework" when you specifically mean a subset of chores. For example, instead of saying "I'll do housework", specify "I'll do the laundry and vacuum" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do housework" functions as a verb phrase, where "do" acts as a light verb taking "housework" as its object. It expresses the action of performing domestic chores. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do housework" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe performing domestic chores. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general conversation. While its register is typically neutral to informal, more formal alternatives such as "perform household chores" may be preferred in academic or professional settings. It's important to be specific when discussing housework to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity in communication. The high frequency and broad applicability of the phrase make it a valuable part of everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perform household chores

Replaces "do housework" with a more formal phrasing, using "perform" and specifying "household chores".

take care of household duties

Focuses on the responsibility aspect, using "take care of" to indicate managing household tasks.

handle domestic tasks

Uses "handle" to suggest managing and completing "domestic tasks", a broader term for housework.

manage the household

Shifts the focus to overall management, implying overseeing all aspects of running a home.

keep house

A more concise way of saying "do housework", focusing on maintaining the home.

run the home

Highlights the operational aspect of maintaining a household, suggesting control and management.

maintain the residence

A more formal and general way to express maintaining a home, suitable for official contexts.

attend to household responsibilities

Emphasizes the obligation to manage household duties, highlighting responsibility.

do the cleaning

Focuses specifically on the cleaning aspect of housework, rather than the broader set of tasks.

do the chores

A more general term that can include outdoor tasks as well as housework, less specific.

FAQs

What are some common tasks included when someone "does housework"?

Common tasks include cleaning, laundry, dishwashing, vacuuming, and general tidying to maintain a home's cleanliness and order.

What can I say instead of "do housework" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases like "perform household chores", "attend to domestic duties", or "manage the household" in more formal contexts.

How does "do housework" differ from "manage a household"?

"Do housework" refers to the physical tasks of cleaning and maintaining a home, whereas "manage a household" encompasses all organizational and administrative aspects, including budgeting and scheduling.

Is it appropriate to use "do housework" in professional writing?

While "do housework" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In professional or academic settings, consider using more formal alternatives such as "perform household chores".