Is it Do to or Due to (Weekly 5 Minute Grammar Lesson)
on Mar 04, 2014, Updated Nov 10, 2022
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Is it Do to or Due to? Do you know which one is right? If not, take five minutes and learn something new with this quick and helpful grammar resource, the 5 Minute Grammar Lesson.
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Is it Do to or Due to? Do you know??
For instance:
- Do to the increasing cost of fresh fruits and vegetables, I’m growing a bigger garden this year. ?? NOPE.
Do to is never the correct option. I can’t think of a single instance where do to would be right, so this lesson is pretty easy. The correct answer is, DUE TO, if you are trying to show that something is CAUSED by something else.
- Due to the increasing cost of fresh fruits and vegetables, I’m growing a bigger garden this year. OR
- Because of the increasing cost of fresh fruits and vegetables, I’m growing a garden this year. GOT IT
- Do to the fact that smoking causes cancer, don’t smoke. NOPE.
- Due to the fact that smoking causes cancer, don’t smoke. OR
- Because smoking causes cancer, don’t smoke. PREFERRED.
If you still can’t decide if it’s do to or due to, just use BECAUSE and the problem is solved.
Due to and because have a similar meaning, so you can normally substitute one for the other.
Your super simple check for the DO/DUE error is to substitute BECAUSE. If you can use BECAUSE in your sentence, the CORRECT word to use is DUE. However, it’s best to avoid DUE TO THE FACT THAT in formal writing. It’s just wordy and annoying. When in doubt, use BECAUSE.
Now you can answer the question is it do to or due to with certainty! You’re welcome.
More grammar posts you may like:
Your welcome or You’re welcome?
How to make the word PEOPLE possessive
Should have gone or Should have went?
If you’re looking for helpful grammar resources, here are my top picks:
Strunk & White Elements of Style
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
I can’t think of many times where you would use “do to” anyway. I’ve made the mistake of “due to the fact that” more than once. I’m pretty good at spelling, but the grammar is a bit harder on me.
I agree. I can’t think of an instance when you would use “do to”. Thanks for the grammar posts. They are helpful.
“Your super simple check for the DO/DUE error is to substitute BECAUSE. If you ***can*** use BECAUSE in your sentence, the CORRECT word to use is DUE. However, it’s best to avoid DUE TO THE FACT THAT in formal writing. It’s just wordy and annoying. When in doubt, use BECAUSE.”
I am not attempting to make a flippant remark, or a “gotcha” comment. However, I am looking for clarification. I flagged — with asterisks — the text that I would like clarification on. Did you intend to state “If you can’t” or “If you can”?
Thanks.
Hi Michael, If you CAN substitute because, it’s correct to use DUE TO. DUE TO and BECAUSE are synonyms (they have similar meanings). 🙂 Does that help?
Hi Michelle,
I’m Fran Cassady from Minneapolis and I blog health and fitness, It’s was great reading your short bio. Thanks for helping me out on how to use do vs, due.
Best Regard and Happy Holidays,
Fran Cassady
Happy Holidays to you too, Fran. Thanks for your note! 🙂
It’s ironic: ” I hope your making less grammer mistakes”… Um, you’re*, fewer*, grammar*
That sentence was total tongue in cheek. But thanks for pointing it out to me. 🙂
Hi Michelle: Thanks for the tips. My search on DO or DUE led me to your site. For me I was writing up an invoice for my customers auto repair. I wanted to say — Front Brake Service ( DUE ASAP ) and was unsure about using DUE or DO. I followed your rule and “Because” would not work so I used ( DO ASAP ) I hope I was correct in doing so. PS: Like your idea of slowing down and enjoying life. At 54 with 4 kids and a family business sometimes I feel like i’m on a treadmill. Bob.
Hi Bob, in your case, it should be DUE as well and my rule about because doesn’t work since you’re not using due in a prepositional phrase. Due can also mean required or expected to happen – http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/due. Isn’t the English language great? 😀 Thank you for the comment and the compliment.
I’ve instantly fell in love with this blog. I love your motto of Simplify, Live, Love; this is what we are missing from this fast track life. Oh my and what can I say about you grammar blog, LIFE SAVER!!! 🙂
Oh my, were you able to type the last sentence without twitching? hahaha
Okay, so me and my boss got into a argument yesterday and I’m 99% positive I’m right, okay so here it is, is it a to do list or to due list I won’t even say which one I believe is right
Hi Brian, the correct term is to-do list. It could be due any day now, and you need to do the items on your list. I hope you had the right answer. 🙂
can I get added to an email list?