yet to do

USAGE SUMMARY

'yet to do' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression used to refer to something that has yet to be done, but is expected to be done in the future. For example, “We have yet to do the dishes, but we’ll get to them later.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The commission has yet to do anything.

The New York Times

Alas, it has yet to do so.

The Economist

They have yet to do so.

Independent

"We have work yet to do.

The New York Times - Sports

Europe has yet to do so.

The Economist

(He has yet to do so).

The New Yorker

Seven countries have yet to do it.

The Economist

I've yet to do it.

The Guardian - Books

He has yet to do so, however.

The New York Times

We arguably have yet to do so.

The New Yorker

And there is much developing yet to do.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yet to do" to indicate that an action is expected or planned to happen in the future. It often implies a sense of anticipation or expectation.

Common error

While "yet to do" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "remains to be done" or "has not yet been completed" in highly formal or academic writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yet to do" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used after an auxiliary verb (e.g., has, have) to indicate that an action has not been completed up to the present time, but is expected to occur. Ludwig examples show its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "yet to do" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something remains incomplete but is anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and demonstrates its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, considering more formal options might be appropriate for academic writing. Remember to use "have" or "has" correctly based on the subject and be mindful of overusing it. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "yet to do" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still needs to be done

This alternative emphasizes the necessity of completing an action in the future.

remains to be done

This highlights the fact that a task is still outstanding and requires attention.

has not yet been completed

This alternative focuses on the lack of completion of a particular task.

is still pending

This suggests that something is waiting to be addressed or finalized.

is still outstanding

This highlights that something is unresolved or has not been taken care of.

has not been performed

This suggests that an action has not taken place.

remains outstanding

Similar to 'is still outstanding', emphasizing the unresolved nature of something.

is left undone

This emphasizes that a task or action was not performed.

awaits completion

This highlights that a task is waiting to be finished.

is in progress

Indicates a task has been started, but is not yet finished.

FAQs

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

You can use "yet to do" to indicate that something has not been done but is expected to be done. For example, "They have "still needs to be done" the dishes" means the dishes need to be washed.

What's a formal alternative to "yet to do"?

In formal contexts, you can replace "yet to do" with phrases such as "remains to be done" or "has not yet been completed" to maintain a professional tone.

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

The correct usage depends on the subject. Use "have yet to do" with plural subjects (e.g., "They have yet to do it") and "has yet to do" with singular subjects (e.g., "He has yet to do it").

What's the difference between "yet to do" and "still to do"?

"Yet to do" emphasizes that something is expected or planned but hasn't happened, while "still to do" simply indicates something remains to be done. The nuance often depends on the context.