Due To or Do To

The English language is a conundrum and even native speakers find it hard to navigate it at times. It has a lot of rules and then a lot of exceptions to those said rules, making it easy to make mistakes while using the language. Read more about the term Due To or Do To.

As far as the English language is concerned, there is no usage of the term “do to” which would give the meaning because of. “Due to” is the proper usage and it is a common mistake to write it as “do to”. Both “due to” and “do to” have completely different meanings.  

Due to Meaning 

The term “due to” implies a causality, that is, a cause and effect event or scenario. The term is only used when one wishes to express how someone or something took place because of another event or person. It means “as a result of” and “presents the reason for a noun”.  

Given below are a few examples of this; 

• I couldn’t write the exam due to health issues. 
• Due to the loss of a relative, the family get-together got postponed. 
• Due to the rain, all outdoor events got canceled.   
• Due to the pandemic, working professionals were forced to take on a work-from-home lifestyle. 

• Due to his laziness, Peter was forced to quit. 
• He was often fired due to his irresponsible behavior. 

Alternatives for “Due to” 

In case you get confused on whether “due to” or “do to” is the proper usage of the term, avoid making a mistake by using an alternative term. Other words that facilitate the same function as ‘due to’ are; 

• Because 
• As 
• On account of 

For further understanding, let us rewrite the sentences that were used as examples for “due to” by replacing them with these alternate words.  

Because of 

1. Because of health issues, I couldn’t write the exam. 
2. The family get-together got postponed because of the loss of a relative 
3. All the outdoor events got canceled because of the rain. 
4. People were forced to take on a work-from-home lifestyle because of the pandemic. 
5. Because of his laziness, Peter was forced to quit. 
6. He was often fired because of his irresponsible behavior. 

As 

1. I couldn’t write the exam as I had health issues. 
2. As a relative had passed away, the family get-together got postponed. 
3. All outdoor events got canceled as the rain continued pouring. 
4. As the pandemic continued, people were forced to take on a work-from-home lifestyle. 
5. Peter was forced to quit as he was lazy. 
6. As his behavior was irresponsible, he often got fired. 

On account of 

1. I couldn’t write the exam on account of my health issues. 
2. On account of the demise of a relative, the family get-to-together got postponed.  
3. On account of the rain, all outdoor events were canceled. 
4. People were forced to take on a work-from-home lifestyle on account of the pandemic. 
5. On account of his laziness, Peter was forced to quit. 
6. He was fired on account of his irresponsible behavior. 

Instances Where “Do to” is Used 

The term “do to” implies action. This action could refer to making changes, affecting someone emotionally, or imply harm.  

• What will you do to me?  
• I have no idea what I will do to impress the judges. 
• She continued the cycle of abuse by doing to her children what her parents did to her. 
• I wonder what she does to her face to make it glow so. 

More About “Do” 

When the subject is I/ We/ You/ They, we use “do”. But if the subject, is He/ She/ It, then we add ‘es’ to do and it becomes “does”. The past and past particles of both “do and does” are “did” and “done”. Both have the same continuous form as well, which is “doing”.  

Let us look at some examples; 

• You do your work well. 
• She does her work well.  
• We did all our work. 
• She did all the work that was pending.  
• I have done all that was instructed of me. 
• She has done all that was instructed of her. 
• I’m doing the best I can 
• He is doing the best he can. 

The word ‘do’ is used as a verb to imply the performance of some sort.  

• Did you do all this? 
• I will do the cleaning. 
• Will, you do me a favor? 

It is often used with another verb usually to form questions or negatives.  

• Did you finish your work on time? 
• Doesn’t she look funny? 

Do is also used in place of another verb.  

• “You stepped on my toe!”, “No, I didn’t!” 
• “What are you doing?”, “I’m exercising.” 

The word “do” is a noun as well which has two meanings. The first refers to a big party. 

• During Thanksgiving week there is always a big do at my parent’s place. 

The second refers to the first or eighth note in a musical scale. 

Meaning of Due 

The word “due” can be used either as an adjective, a noun, or an adverb. As an adjective, it has two meanings. The first being proper, suitable, or correct, and the second referring to something expected or supposed.  For example; 

• She drives with due care and attention. 
• You will get the letter in due course. 
• Her baby is due next month. 
• She is due for a promotion at work. 

As a noun, it means something that is rightfully owned or belongs to someone, or a fee that has to be paid. 

• She still has to pay her library dues. 
• Peter never takes more than his due. 

As an adverb, it is used with reference to direction. 

• The church is due north of here. 

As much as the English language is confusing it is also fascinating and acts as a bridge linking different people in different parts of the world. Gaining command over this language means opening up a vast number of opportunities for you. Each word is replaceable, for there are many alternative words or synonyms available for every word. So, in case you get confused about the spelling or proper usage of a word, try forming a sentence by using a synonym of that word.