what do you

USAGE SUMMARY

"What do you" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to do something, or when you're asking for an opinion or explanation. For example, "What do you think I should do?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What do you work?

The New Yorker

What do you say?

The New York Times

What do you like?

The New York Times

What do you know?

The New York Times - Food

"What do you care?

The New York Times

What do you believe?

The Guardian

What do you want?

The New York Times

What do you got?

The New Yorker

What do you own?

Independent

What do you cook?

The New York Times

"What do you accomplish?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what do you" in questions, ensure the verb that follows is appropriate for the context. For example, "What do you think?" for opinions or "What do you do?" for occupation.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses after "what do you". For example, instead of "What do you thinking?", use the correct form: "What do you think?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what do you" functions as an interrogative phrase, primarily used to initiate questions seeking information, opinions, or actions from the person being addressed. It's a common way to start a question, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what do you" is a versatile and extremely common interrogative phrase used to initiate a wide range of questions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for written English. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, although it is most frequently found in news, science, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the following verb aligns with the intended meaning of your question. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "what do you" to engage in conversations and gather information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what are you

Changes the verb from 'do' to 'are', altering the question to focus on identity or current state rather than action.

what do you think about

Specifically asks for thoughts or opinions on a particular subject.

what is it that you

Adds emphasis or clarification to the question, seeking specific information.

what's your view on

Asks for a perspective or viewpoint on a specific topic.

what's your opinion

Replaces the general inquiry with a specific request for an opinion.

what are your thoughts

Directly asks for someone's thoughts, similar to asking for an opinion.

what's your take

Similar to 'what's your opinion', but more informal.

how do you feel

Shifts the focus to emotions rather than actions or opinions.

can you tell me

Introduces a request for information, changing the directness of the question.

could you explain

Asks for an explanation, focusing on understanding a concept or situation.

FAQs

How to use "what do you" in a sentence?

Use "what do you" to ask open-ended questions, such as "What do you think?", "What do you do for a living?", or "What do you want to eat?". The phrase initiates a request for information, opinion, or preference.

What can I say instead of "what do you think?"

You can use alternatives like "what's your opinion", "how do you feel", or "what are your thoughts" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "what do you think" or "what you do think?"

"What do you think" is the correct phrasing for a question. "What you do think" is not grammatically correct as a question; it could appear in a statement, but it's uncommon.

What's the difference between "what do you do" and "what are you doing"?

"What do you do" generally refers to your occupation or regular activities, whereas "what are you doing" refers to your current activity at the moment the question is asked.