Due vs. Do — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 25, 2024
"Due" refers to something scheduled, expected, or owed, while "do" is a versatile verb related to performing actions or tasks.
Difference Between Due and Do
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Due" primarily functions as an adjective, indicating that something is expected or required at a specific time, like a payment or a task. On the other hand, "do" is a verb that involves carrying out actions, tasks, or activities.
"Due" can also specify the cause of something, such as in "due to," suggesting reasons or causality. Whereas "do" can serve as an auxiliary verb to form questions or negative statements, significantly altering the sentence structure.
In terms of usage, "due" is often paired with nouns to describe obligations ("homework is due tomorrow"), while "do" is used with a wide range of verbs to describe actions ("I do my homework").The implications of "due" are often related to timeliness and obligation, impacting how responsibilities are viewed or managed. In contrast, "do" reflects action and engagement, affecting how activities are executed or described.
"Due" sometimes acts as a noun, especially in the context of payments ("the rent is due"), emphasizing obligations or deadlines. Meanwhile, "do" can also function as a noun, albeit rarely, referring to a festive event or a hairdo.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective, sometimes a noun
Verb, sometimes a noun
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Usage
Indicates expectation or cause
Indicates action or assistance
Common Phrases
"due date", "due to"
"do work", "do you know?"
Implication
Obligation, causality
Action, execution
Example in Sentences
"The project is due next week."
"What do you want to do today?"
Compare with Definitions
Due
Scheduled to happen or be completed.
The payment is due at the end of the month.
Do
To act or conduct oneself.
How do you do?
Due
In the proper or expected position.
The books are due back to the library today.
Do
As a noun, an informal term for a party or event.
We're throwing a big do for her birthday.
Due
Caused by or ascribed to.
The cancellation was due to bad weather.
Do
To suffice or be sufficient.
This will do for now.
Due
As a noun, a payment that is owed.
Membership dues need to be paid by Friday.
Do
To perform an action.
She does her chores without complaining.
Due
Owed as a debt.
Respect is due to anyone who works hard.
Do
To create or organize.
Let's do lunch next week.
Due
Payable immediately or on demand.
Do
To perform or execute; carry out
Do one's assigned task.
Do a series of business deals.
Due
Owed as a debt; owing
The amount still due.
Do
To fulfill the requirements of
Did my duty at all times.
Due
In accord with right, convention, or courtesy; appropriate
Due esteem.
All due respect.
Do
To perform the tasks or behaviors typically associated with (something), especially as part of one's character or normal duties
That talk show host just doesn't do subtle.
Due
Meeting special requirements; sufficient
We have due cause to honor them.
Do
To participate in (a meal or an activity) with another person
Let's do brunch on Sunday.
Due
Expected or scheduled, especially appointed to arrive
Their plane is due in 15 minutes.
Do
To produce, especially by creative effort
Do a play on Broadway.
Due
Expected to give birth.
Do
To play the part or role of in a creative production
Did Elizabeth I in the film.
Due
Anticipated; looked for
A long due promotion.
Do
To mimic
"doing the Southern voice, improvising it inventively as he goes along" (William H. Pritchard).
Due
Expecting or ready for something as part of a normal course or sequence
We're due for some rain. This batter is due for another hit.
Do
To bring about; effect
Crying won't do any good now.
Due
Entitled to
I always give people the respect that they are due.
Do
To render; give
Do equal justice to the opposing sides.
Do honor to one's family.
Due
Capable of being attributed. See Usage Note at due to.
Do
To put forth; exert
Do the best you can.
Due
Something owed or deserved
You finally received your due.
Do
To attend to in such a way as to take care of or put in order
Did the bedrooms before the guests arrived.
Due
Dues A charge or fee for membership, as in a club or organization.
Do
To prepare for further use especially by washing
Did the dishes.
Due
Straight; directly
Go due west.
Do
To set or style (the hair).
Due
(Archaic) Duly.
Do
To apply cosmetics to
Did her face.
Due
Owed or owing.
He is due four weeks of back pay.
The amount due is just three quid.
The due bills total nearly seven thousand dollars.
He can wait for the amount due him.
Do
To have as an occupation or profession
Have you decided what you will do after college?.
Due
Appropriate.
With all due respect, you're wrong about that.
Do
To work out by studying
Do a homework assignment.
Due
Scheduled; expected.
Rain is due this afternoon.
The train is due in five minutes.
When is your baby due?
Do
Used as a substitute for an antecedent verb or verb phrase
He can play the piano, and I can do that, too.
Due
Having reached the expected, scheduled, or natural time.
The baby is just about due.
Do
To travel (a specified distance)
Did a mile in four minutes.
Due
Owing; ascribable, as to a cause.
The dangerously low water table is due to rapidly growing pumping.
Do
To go (a specified rate)
Did 80 mph on the highway.
Due
On a direct bearing, especially for the four points of the compass
The town is 5 miles due North of the bridge.
Do
To make a tour of; visit
"[He] did 15 countries of Western Europe in only a few days" (R.W. Apple, Jr.).
Due
(used with compass directions) Directly; exactly.
The river runs due north for about a mile.
Do
To be sufficient in meeting the needs of; serve
This room will do us very nicely.
Due
Deserved acknowledgment.
Give him his due — he is a good actor.
Do
(Informal) To serve (a prison term)
Did time in jail.
Did five years for tax fraud.
Due
(in plural dues) A membership fee.
Do
(Slang) To cheat; swindle
Do a relative out of an inheritance.
Due
That which is owed; debt; that which belongs or may be claimed as a right; whatever custom, law, or morality requires to be done, duty.
Do
(Slang) To take (drugs) illegally
"If you do drugs you are going to be in continual trouble" (Jimmy Breslin).
Due
Right; just title or claim.
Do
(Slang) To kill; murder.
Due
Owed, as a debt; that ought to be paid or done to or for another; payable; owing and demandable.
Do
To behave or conduct oneself; act
Do as I say and you won't get into trouble.
Due
Justly claimed as a right or property; proper; suitable; becoming; appropriate; fit.
Her obedience, which is due to me.
With dirges due, in sad array,Slow through the churchway path we saw him borne.
Do
To get along; fare
Students who do well at school.
Due
Such as (a thing) ought to be; fulfilling obligation; proper; lawful; regular; appointed; sufficient; exact; as, due process of law; due service; in due time.
Do
To carry on; manage
I could do without your interference.
Due
Appointed or required to arrive at a given time; as, the steamer was due yesterday.
Do
To make good use of something because of need
I could do with a hot bath.
Due
Owing; ascribable, as to a cause.
This effect is due to the attraction of the sun.
Do
To serve a specified purpose
This coat will do for another season.
Due
Directly; exactly; as, a due east course.
Do
To be proper or fitting
Such behavior just won't do.
Due
That which is owed; debt; that which one contracts to pay, or do, to or for another; that which belongs or may be claimed as a right; whatever custom, law, or morality requires to be done; a fee; a toll.
He will give the devil his due.
Yearly little dues of wheat, and wine, and oil.
Do
To take place; happen
What's doing in London this time of year?.
Due
Right; just title or claim.
The key of this infernal pit by due . . . I keep.
Do
Used as a substitute for an antecedent verb
Worked as hard as everyone else did.
Due
To endue.
Do
Used after another verb for emphasis
Run quickly, do!.
Due
That which is deserved or owed;
Give the devil his due
Do
Used with the infinitive without to in questions, negative statements, and inverted phrases
Do you understand? I did not sleep well. Little did we know what was in store for us.
Due
A payment that is due (e.g., as the price of membership);
The society dropped him for non-payment of dues
Do
Used as a means of emphasis
I do want to be sure.
Due
Owed and payable immediately or on demand;
Payment is due
Do
A statement of what should be done
A list of the dos and don'ts of management.
Due
Proper and appropriate; fitting;
Richly deserved punishment
Due esteem
Do
(Informal) An entertainment; a party
Attended a big do at the embassy.
Due
Scheduled to arrive;
The train is due in 15 minutes
Do
A commotion.
Due
Suitable to or expected in the circumstances;
All due respect
Due cause to honor them
A long due promotion
In due course
Do
A hairdo.
Due
Reasonable in the circumstances;
Gave my comments due consideration
Exercising due care
Do
Chiefly British Slang A swindle; a cheat.
Due
Directly or exactly; straight;
Went due North
Do
(Slang) Fecal matter; excrement.
Do
The first tone of the diatonic scale in solfeggio.
Do
A hairdo.
Do
(auxiliary) A syntactic marker.
Do
(auxiliary) be.}}
Do you go there often?
Do
(auxiliary) A syntactic marker in negations with the indicative and imperative moods.
I do not go there often.
Do not listen to him.
Do
(auxiliary) A syntactic marker for emphasis with the indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods.
But I do go sometimes.
Do tell us.
Do
(pro-verb) be, though it can be in AAVE.}}
I play tennis; she does too.
Do
(transitive) To perform; to execute.
All you ever do is surf the Internet. What will you do this afternoon?
Do
To cause, make (someone) (do something).
Do
To suffice.
It’s not the best broom, but it will have to do;
This will do me, thanks.
Do
(intransitive) To be reasonable or acceptable.
It simply will not do to have dozens of children running around such a quiet event.
Do
(ditransitive) To have (as an effect).
The fresh air did him some good.
Do
(intransitive) To fare, perform (well or poorly).
Our relationship isn't doing very well;
How do you do?
Do
To fare#Verb well; to thrive; to prosper; (of livestock) to fatten.
Do
To have as one's job.
What does Bob do? — He's a plumber.
Do
To perform the tasks or actions associated with (something).
"Don't forget to do your report" means something quite different depending on whether you're a student or a programmer.
Do
To cook.
I'll just do some eggs.
Do
(transitive) To travel in, to tour, to make a circuit of.
Let’s do New York also.
Do
(transitive) To treat in a certain way.
Do
(transitive) To work for or on, by way of caring for, looking after, preparing, cleaning, keeping in order, etc.
Do
To act or behave in a certain manner; to conduct oneself.
Do
(transitive) To spend (time) in jail. (See also do time)
I did five years for armed robbery.
Do
(transitive) To impersonate or depict.
They really laughed when he did Clinton, with a perfect accent and a leer.
Do
(with 'a' and the name of a person, place, event, etc.) To copy or emulate the actions or behaviour that is associated with the person or thing mentioned.
He did a Henry VIII and got married six times.
He was planning to do a 9/11.
Do
To kill.
Do
To deal with for good and all; to finish up; to undo; to ruin; to do for.
Do
(informal) To punish for a misdemeanor.
He got done for speeding.
Teacher'll do you for that!
Do
(transitive) To cheat or swindle.
That guy just did me out of two hundred bucks!
Do
(transitive) To convert into a certain form; especially, to translate.
The novel has just been done into English;
I'm going to do this play into a movie
Do
To finish.
Do
Used to form the present progressive of verbs.
Do
(stock exchange) To cash or to advance money for, as a bill or note.
Do
To make or provide.
Do they do haircuts there?
Could you do me a burger with mayonnaise instead of ketchup?
Do
To injure (one's own body part).
Do
(transitive) To take drugs.
I do cocaine.
Do
To exist with a purpose or for a reason.
What's that car doing in our swimming pool?
Do
A party, celebration, social function; usually of moderate size and formality.
We’re having a bit of a do on Saturday to celebrate my birthday.
Do
Senseid|en|hairdo}}(informal) {{clip of hairdo
Nice do!
I don't like to spend time on my hairstyle, so I usually just wear a do-rag.
Do
Something that can or should be done.
Don't forget the dos and don'ts.
Do
Something that has been done.
"How come you quit?" "I'm moving to London." "Fair dos."
Do
(archaic) Ado; bustle; stir; to-do; A period of confusion or argument.
Do
A cheat; a swindler.
Do
An act of swindling; a fraud or deception.
Do
A homicide.
Do
(music) A syllable used in solfège to represent the first and eighth tonic of a major scale.
Do
(archaic) ditto
Do
The cardinal number occurring after el and before do one in a duodecimal system. Written 10, decimal value 12.
Do
A syllable attached to the first tone of the major diatonic scale for the purpose of solmization, or solfeggio. It is the first of the seven syllables used by the Italians as manes of musical tones, and replaced, for the sake of euphony, the syllable Ut, applied to the note C. In England and America the same syllables are used by many as a scale pattern, while the tones in respect to absolute pitch are named from the first seven letters of the alphabet.
Do
Deed; act; fear.
Do
Ado; bustle; stir; to do.
A great deal of do, and a great deal of trouble.
Do
A cheat; a swindle.
Do
To place; to put.
Do
To cause; to make; - with an infinitive.
My lord Abbot of Westminster did do shewe to me late certain evidences.
I shall . . . your cloister do make.
A fatal plague which many did to die.
We do you to wit [i. e., We make you to know] of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.
Do
To bring about; to produce, as an effect or result; to effect; to achieve.
The neglecting it may do much danger.
He waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good not harm.
Do
To perform, as an action; to execute; to transact to carry out in action; as, to do a good or a bad act; do our duty; to do what I can.
Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work.
We did not do these things.
You can not do wrong without suffering wrong.
Do
To bring to an end by action; to perform completely; to finish; to accomplish; - a sense conveyed by the construction, which is that of the past participle done.
Do
To make ready for an object, purpose, or use, as food by cooking; to cook completely or sufficiently; as, the meat is done on one side only.
Do
To cheat; to gull; to overreach.
He was not be done, at his time of life, by frivolous offers of a compromise that might have secured him seventy-five per cent.
Do
To see or inspect; to explore; as, to do all the points of interest.
Do
To cash or to advance money for, as a bill or note.
Do
To perform work upon, about, for, or at, by way of caring for, looking after, preparing, cleaning, keeping in order, or the like.
The sergeants seem to do themselves pretty well.
Do
To deal with for good and all; to finish up; to undo; to ruin; to do for.
Sometimes they lie in wait in these dark streets, and fracture his skull, . . . or break his arm, or cut the sinew of his wrist; and that they call doing him.
Rarely . . . did the wrongs of individuals to the knowledge of the public.
My brightest hopes giving dark fears a being.As the light does the shadow.
Do
To act or behave in any manner; to conduct one's self.
They fear not the Lord, neither do they after . . . the law and commandment.
Do
To fare; to be, as regards health; as, they asked him how he did; how do you do to-day?
Do
To succeed; to avail; to answer the purpose; to serve; as, if no better plan can be found, he will make this do.
You would do well to prefer a bill against all kings and parliaments since the Conquest; and if that won't do; challenge the crown.
Some folks are happy and easy in mind when their victim is stabbed and done for.
Do
An uproarious party
Do
The syllable naming the first (tonic) note of any major scale in solmization
Do
Doctor's degree in osteopathy
Do
Engage in;
Make love, not war
Make an effort
Do research
Do nothing
Make revolution
Do
Carry out or perform an action;
John did the painting, the weeding, and he cleaned out the gutters
The skater executed a triple pirouette
She did a little dance
Do
Get (something) done;
I did my job
Do
Proceed or get along;
How is she doing in her new job?
How are you making out in graduate school?
He's come a long way
Do
Give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally;
Cause a commotion
Make a stir
Cause an accident
Do
Carry out or practice; as of jobs and professions;
Practice law
Do
Be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity;
A few words would answer
This car suits my purpose well
Will $100 do?
A 'B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school
Nothing else will serve
Do
Create or design, often in a certain way;
Do my room in blue
I did this piece in wood to express my love for the forest
Do
Spend time in prison or in a labor camp;
He did six years for embezzlement
Do
Carry on or manage;
We could do with a little more help around here
Do
Arrange attractively;
Dress my hair for the wedding
Do
Travel or traverse (a distance);
This car does 150 miles per hour
We did 6 miles on our hike every day
Common Curiosities
What does "due" mean?
"Due" refers to something that is expected, scheduled, or required.
Can "due" and "do" be interchanged?
No, they serve different grammatical roles and convey different meanings.
What does "do" imply in a practical context?
It implies carrying out actions, solving problems, or engaging in activities.
How does "due" relate to responsibility?
"Due" often connects with obligations, indicating when something is expected to be done or paid.
What are common phrases using "due"?
Common phrases include "due to" for reasons and "due date" for deadlines.
How does the meaning of "due" change in different contexts?
It can indicate timeliness, causality, or alignment, depending on the context.
How is "do" used in a sentence?
"Do" is used as a verb to indicate performing an action or as an auxiliary verb in questions or negatives.
What are the implications of using "do"?
Using "do" emphasizes action, involvement, or agreement.
Is there a noun form of "do"?
Yes, in informal contexts, "do" refers to a party or event.
Can "due" serve as a noun?
Yes, "due" can refer to payments or obligations that need to be met, such as membership dues.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
