do nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do nothing" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that no action or course of action should be taken. For example: "Because it has already been handled, I'd advise you to do nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Do nothing.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Otherwise do nothing.

University of California, Berkeley

Just don't do nothing.

Independent

3. Do nothing.

The Guardian - Business

I didn't do nothing.

The New York Times

Down! Do nothing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Does nothing.

Stanford University

Hamilton did nothing.

Columbia University

Doing nothing guarantees failure.

University of California, Berkeley

They basically did nothing.

Columbia University

Apparently, they did nothing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do nothing" when you want to express a conscious decision to not interfere or take action in a situation. It can imply acceptance, strategic waiting, or a belief that intervention would be detrimental.

Common error

Avoid using "do nothing" as a default response when action is clearly required. Passivity can be misinterpreted as negligence or indifference, especially in professional or critical situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do nothing" functions primarily as a declarative statement indicating a decision to abstain from action. It can also serve as an imperative, advising someone to refrain from acting. Ludwig examples showcase its diverse application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do nothing" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the decision to abstain from taking action. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread usage across diverse contexts, ranging from news and academia to personal communication. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While "do nothing" implies passivity, it can also represent a strategic choice, suggesting patience or the belief that intervention might worsen a situation. When using "do nothing", be mindful of the context to avoid misinterpretations of negligence or indifference, especially when decisive action is expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Take no action

Focuses on the absence of any intervention or response.

Remain inactive

Emphasizes a state of being without activity or movement.

Stand idly by

Suggests observing a situation without offering help or getting involved.

Let it be

Implies accepting a situation without attempting to change it.

Abstain from acting

A more formal way of saying to refrain from taking any action.

Hold off

Suggests postponing or delaying action.

Keep your hands off

Emphasizes non-interference, often in a possessive or protective sense.

Leave well enough alone

Advises against interfering with something that is satisfactory as it is.

Sit back and watch

Implies observing a situation unfold without any participation.

Refrain from involvement

Highlights a deliberate choice to stay out of a situation or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "do nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "do nothing" to indicate a decision not to take action, as in, "Faced with conflicting advice, I decided to "do nothing" for the time being.".

What are some alternatives to "do nothing"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "take no action", "remain inactive", or "stand idly by" instead of "do nothing".

Is it ever a good idea to "do nothing"?

Yes, sometimes the best course of action is to "do nothing", especially when intervening could worsen a situation or when more information is needed before acting.

What does it mean to "do nothing" in a negotiation?

In negotiation, to ""do nothing"" often means maintaining the status quo or not making any concessions, which can be a strategic move depending on your goals and leverage.