will this do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will this do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking if something is sufficient or acceptable for a particular purpose. Example: "I have completed the report; will this do for the meeting tomorrow?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Lifestyle

Music

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

From Mika's by-numbers empowerment schtick to the demo-quality production to a parenthesised title that screams WILL THIS DO (the phrase "kick ass" does not appear in the song's lyrics), it offers little in the way of imagination or real spark, which is odd because it's also kind of amazing.

The Guardian - Music

Will this do the trick?

Forbes

(7) Will this do?

The Guardian - Sport

What will this do to the tour?

The New York Times

What will this do to the national political conversation?

The Guardian - Opinion

What will this do to local clean water supplies?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Mainly, though, Katie can be characterised as telly's most will-this-do?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite its flaws, The 20/20 Experience is a genuinely adventurous pop album in a world of will-this-do?

The Guardian - Music

This year it's a Celebrity Juice triple bill on ITV2, the usual endless episodes of Family Guy on BBC3 and a will-this-do?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Whether that's because they couldn't be bothered – you'd have to be hard of hearing to miss the distinct, depressing air of will-this-do?

The Guardian - Music

In a world where the public is menaced by will-this-do superhero movies, one man must save them by torpedoing the entire genre.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will this do?" when you want to check if something meets a basic requirement or standard, rather than exceeding expectations. It implies a focus on adequacy rather than excellence.

Common error

Avoid using "will this do?" in highly formal situations such as academic papers or business proposals. More professional alternatives include "is this sufficient?" or "does this meet the requirements?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will this do" functions as an interrogative phrase used to seek confirmation or validation regarding the adequacy or suitability of something. It implies a question about whether something is sufficient for a specific purpose or standard, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

15%

Music

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Sports

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will this do" is a common interrogative phrase used to inquire whether something is sufficient or acceptable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across contexts like News & Media, Lifestyle and Music. While it is generally appropriate for neutral to informal settings, more formal alternatives like "is this sufficient?" may be preferred in professional or academic communication. The phrase's communicative purpose is to seek validation or approval, ensuring that something meets a basic requirement or standard. Therefore, being mindful of the context and desired level of formality is crucial when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is this sufficient

Focuses on the adequacy of something for a specific purpose.

is this adequate

Similar to 'is this sufficient', but may imply a lower threshold of acceptance.

does this suffice

A more formal way of asking if something meets the requirements.

is this acceptable

Directly asks if something meets the standards of approval.

will this suffice

A slightly more formal version of the original query.

is that enough

Focuses on whether the quantity or quality is satisfactory.

does that work

Asks if a proposed solution or action is effective or feasible.

is that alright

Seeks confirmation that something is satisfactory or permissible.

would that be okay

Asks for permission or agreement in a polite manner.

shall I do this

Inquires if the speaker should proceed with a particular action, implying willingness.

FAQs

How can I use "will this do" in a sentence?

The phrase "will this do" is typically used as a question to ask if something is sufficient or acceptable. For example: "I finished the first draft; will this do for the initial review?"

What's a more formal way to say "will this do"?

In more formal settings, you can use phrases like "is this sufficient", "does this suffice", or "is this adequate".

Is it appropriate to use "will this do" in professional communication?

While "will this do" is grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat informal or even dismissive in professional communication. Consider using alternatives like "does this meet the requirements" or "is this acceptable" for a more polished tone.

What's the difference between "will this do" and "is this enough"?

"Will this do" questions whether something meets a certain standard or requirement, while "is this enough" focuses on quantity or sufficiency. For example, "Will this report do for the presentation?" versus "Is this enough information for the report?"