do not fill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not fill" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as an instruction or warning, often found on forms or documents indicating that a specific area should remain empty. Example: "Please ensure that you do not fill the section marked 'For Official Use Only'."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another way to ease traffic: Do not fill the arena.

The New York Times

Do not fill in questionnaires or respond to telemarketers.

The Economist

Do not fill the seal with a background color.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Whatever you do, do not fill those weep holes.

The Washington Post

But many civil servants do not fill in the survey.

The Guardian

He once declared that democracy and human rights "do not fill up bellies".

The New York Times

Do not fill out internship applications you find on the companies/organizations' websites.

Princeton University

Do not fill grain bin all the way to the top.

Cornell University

Please do not fill out this form if you have not been nominated for membership.

Columbia University

Police do not fill out a field contact report every time they stop someone.

The Guardian

Though all are unquestionably superb sailors, they do not fill glamour positions.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, be specific about which areas or fields should be left empty to avoid confusion. For example: "Do not fill in the section marked 'For Official Use Only'".

Common error

Avoid using the instruction "do not fill" without specifying what should not be filled. Always provide context to ensure clarity. For example, don't just say "Do not fill", instead say "Do not fill past the indicated line".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not fill" functions primarily as a negative imperative, issuing a direct command not to perform the action of filling something. It is used for giving explicit instructions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

38%

News & Media

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do not fill" is a common and grammatically correct negative imperative, primarily used to instruct against filling something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use spans various contexts, from Wiki articles to News & Media publications. The phrase functions to prevent an action, often to avoid errors or maintain specific conditions. While suitable for neutral registers, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain academic or professional settings. Remember to be specific and avoid overly broad instructions. Examples show it being used for forms, containers, and more. Also, consider semantically close alternatives such as "leave blank" and "do not complete" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave blank

Focuses on the action of leaving something without any input.

do not complete

Emphasizes the action of not finishing or finalizing something.

omit this section

Specifically instructs to leave out a particular part.

do not enter

Directs against putting any information in.

keep empty

Highlights maintaining a state of emptiness.

refrain from filling

A more formal way to say not to fill something.

do not include

Instructs against adding something to a list or collection.

avoid filling

Suggests that filling is undesirable in some way.

do not saturate

Specifies not to overfill or soak something.

leave untouched

Implies something should not be altered or modified.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "do not fill"?

The phrase "do not fill" is appropriate when giving instructions to leave a space, container, or form field empty. It's often used on official documents, questionnaires, or in instructional guides.

What can I say instead of "do not fill"?

You can use alternatives like "leave blank", "do not complete", or "omit this section" depending on the context.

Is "do not fill in" the same as "do not fill"?

Yes, "do not fill in" is very similar to "do not fill", but the first one implies filling something (like a form). "Do not fill" is more general (like "Do not fill the glass to the top").

Can "do not fill" be used in a formal context?

Yes, "do not fill" can be used in formal contexts, especially when giving clear instructions on official forms or in technical manuals. However, in some situations, a more formal alternative like "refrain from filling" might be preferred.