to do with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to do with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean that something has a direct connection with or relevance to something else. For example: The decision to cancel the event had something to do with the weather.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing to do with DNA.

The New Yorker

It's to do with stereotyping.

The Economist

(Nothing to do with buses).

Independent

What to do with it?

The New York Times

What to do with prisoners?

The Economist

"Nothing to do with us".

The Guardian - Film

What to do with them?

The Economist

Something to do with ammonia?

The New Yorker

He has nothing to do with it".

The New Yorker

It was to do with television.

The Economist

This has nothing to do with money.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to do with" when you want to indicate a relationship or connection between two subjects, ensuring clarity about the nature of that relationship.

Common error

Be precise about the relationship you are describing; avoid using "to do with" if a more specific term like "caused by" or "resulted in" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to do with" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a relationship, connection, or relevance between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

23%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to do with" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express a relationship or connection between two subjects. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, fitting into various contexts from news to general explanations. While alternatives like "related to" or "connected to" exist, "to do with" remains a common and acceptable choice for indicating relevance or association. Ensure clarity and precision when using it, and adapt the phrasing to fit the specific context for the best communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

related to

This phrase is a more direct and concise synonym.

connected to

This suggests a link or association between two things.

relevant to

This highlights the pertinence of something to a particular subject.

linked to

Similar to connected to, emphasizing the link.

associated with

Implies a correlation or relationship.

pertaining to

More formal way to indicate relevance.

concerning

This focuses on the subject matter.

in connection with

A more elaborate way of saying "related to".

regarding

Similar to concerning, but often used to introduce a topic.

bearing on

This suggests an influence or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "to do with" in a sentence?

You can use "to do with" to indicate a connection or relevance. For example, "The problem has something "to do with" the software update".

What are some alternatives to "to do with"?

Alternatives include "related to", "connected to", or "relevant to", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has to do with" or "have to do with"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has to do with" for singular subjects (e.g., "The issue has "to do with"...") and "have to do with" for plural subjects (e.g., "The problems have "to do with"...").

What's the difference between "to do with" and "concerned with"?

"To do with" generally indicates a relationship or connection, while "concerned with" implies a focus or involvement. For example, "The book is "to do with" history" versus "The author is "concerned with" historical accuracy".