do not do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to instruct someone not to perform a specific action or behavior. Example: "Please do not do anything that could jeopardize the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Do not do it".

The New Yorker

Do not, do not, do not.

The Guardian - Opinion

But they do not do so alone.

Technovation

We do not do extortion.

The New York Times

Do not do to others.

The New York Times

We do not do that.

The New Yorker

Do not do that either.

The Guardian - Tech

We do not do it.

The Guardian

"Empires do not do that".

The New York Times

Riders do not do sharing.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Milk is an absolute do-not-do.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions or warnings, use "do not do" followed by a specific action to clearly communicate what should be avoided. For instance, "Do not do anything that could jeopardize the project."

Common error

While "do not do" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound harsh or repetitive. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "avoid", "refrain from", or rephrase the sentence positively to soften the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not do" functions as a negative imperative, directly instructing someone to avoid performing a specific action. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to prohibit or discourage certain behaviors. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not do" is a grammatically sound and frequently used negative imperative that effectively conveys prohibition or warning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its prevalence across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific publications. While versatile, varying your phrasing is beneficial in order to avoid repetition. Alternatives like "avoid doing" or "refrain from doing" can provide a more nuanced tone. Always use "do not do" followed by the specific action you wish to discourage for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid doing

This suggests preventing something from happening or steering clear of a particular action.

refrain from doing

This alternative uses a more formal tone to express the action of abstaining from something.

don't engage in

This phrase is useful when referring to activities or practices one should not participate in.

hold back from

This suggests restraining oneself from performing an action.

abstain from

This is a formal way of suggesting to voluntarily refrain from something.

forgo doing

This implies giving up or doing without something.

cease doing

This emphasizes the termination or stopping of an action.

desist from

This is a legal or formal term that means to stop doing something.

evade doing

This suggests skillfully avoiding doing something, often with an implication of difficulty.

shun doing

This implies deliberately avoiding or staying away from something, often due to dislike or fear.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "do not do" in a sentence?

Use "do not do" to give a direct instruction or warning. For example, "Do not do that" is a clear and simple command.

Are there alternatives to using "do not do"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "refrain from doing", "avoid doing", or simply rephrase the sentence to be more positive.

Is it ever incorrect to use "do not do"?

While grammatically sound, overuse of "do not do" can sound repetitive or overly negative. Consider varying your language to maintain a more balanced and engaging tone.

What's the difference between "do not do" and "don't do"?

"Do not do" is the full, uncontracted form, which can be slightly more formal or emphatic. "Don't do" is the contracted form, which is more common in everyday speech and informal writing.