do not associate with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not associate with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to advise someone against forming relationships or connections with certain individuals or groups. Example: "For your own well-being, it is best to do not associate with those who bring negativity into your life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We do not associate with political parties, and they are extremists.

The New York Times

"His anarchic impulsiveness represents a side of the Chinese character that most Westerners do not associate with Asian behavior".

The New York Times

"Bryan was interested in music, photography and art and many other things you often do not associate with bureaucrats," Mr. Gordon said.

The New York Times

Rhyme is a form of clang association, yet its presence often indicates a level of calculation and aesthetic design that we do not associate with mental illness.

The New Yorker

DOZENS of computer scientists attending a graphics exhibition in Los Angeles in August did something that most people do not associate with computer science: play with M&M's to create a van Gogh portrait.

The New York Times - Tech

It is of interest to note that 14 of the 18 residues that do not associate with solvated water molecules are located in α-helical structures.

Chemistry Central Journal

Change and rest, as opposites, do not associate with each other; but being applies to both, since we say that both of them are.

SEP

Furthermore, skipjack do not associate with dolphins.

Huffington Post

Notably, this excludes gifts to groups which do not associate with the public, as in Gilmour v Coats.

Wikipedia

Butterflies and moths normally do not associate with each other, except for migrating species, staying relatively asocial.

Wikipedia

These days, I purposely do not associate with that side of stuff when I get into things because I don't want to ruin the enjoyment".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do not associate with" when you want to strongly advise against forming relationships or connections with certain individuals or groups due to potential negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "do not associate with" in very informal contexts. Opt for more casual alternatives like "stay away from" or "hang out with" depending on your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not associate with" functions as a prohibitive verb phrase, advising against forming connections or relationships. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not associate with" serves as a prohibitive verb phrase used to advise against forming relationships or connections, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and sees frequent use in science, news media and general contexts. While it carries a neutral to formal tone, it's best to adjust formality depending on the audience, utilizing alternatives like "stay away from" in informal settings. When writing, remember that this phrase advises against connection due to potential negative consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid contact with

Focuses on physical or communicative avoidance.

refrain from associating with

Emphasizes a deliberate act of withholding association.

steer clear of

Suggests a proactive effort to avoid a person or situation.

keep away from

Highlights maintaining distance from something or someone.

dissociate oneself from

Implies a formal separation or distancing.

distance yourself from

Focuses on creating emotional or social distance.

have nothing to do with

Indicates a complete lack of involvement.

cut ties with

Implies severing existing connections.

break off relations with

Suggests a formal ending of a relationship.

detach from

Emphasizes emotional or psychological separation.

FAQs

How can I use "do not associate with" in a sentence?

You can use "do not associate with" to advise someone against forming relationships or connections with certain individuals or groups. For example: "For your own well-being, it is best to do not associate with those who bring negativity into your life."

What's a more formal way to say "do not associate with"?

A more formal alternative to "do not associate with" is "refrain from associating with", which emphasizes a deliberate act of withholding association.

What can I say instead of "do not associate with" in a casual context?

In a casual context, you could use alternatives like "stay away from" or "have nothing to do with", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "dissociate oneself from" instead of "do not associate with"?

Use "dissociate oneself from" when you want to emphasize a formal or public separation from a group or idea, often to avoid being linked to negative perceptions or actions.